MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES, OR LEPIDOPTERA. 59 
or by pricking between the forelegs with the quill and 
oxalic acid used in killing grasshoppers. If they are 
not to be mounted instantly, they should be packed in 
pieces of paper doubled in a triangular shape, with the 
edges folded. Butterflies may be reared from the egg by 
capturing the impregnated female and conflning her in a 
box pierced with holes to allow fresh air to enter. In 
this box she will deposit her eggs ; these are allowed to 
hatch, and the larvae fed upon the leaves that they natu- 
rally subsist upon. When sufficient time has expired they 
will cease to feed, and form a pupa or chrysalis, and either 
in a few weeks or the ensuing year come forth perfect 
insects, when they should be instantly killed. In this man- 
ner the collector will be able to secure fine specimens. 
Although some few of the moths are diurnal in their 
habits, the greater part are strictly nocturnal. A great 
many specimens may be decoyed by the use of a bright 
light. During the months of May, June, July, August, 
and September, the following method may be practised 
with advantage in securing many specimens. Mix coarse 
brown sugar with alcohol enough to form a thick paste, 
saturate rags thoroughly with this paste, and hang them 
on trees or stakes in an open grove or wood at twilight ; 
or daub some of the mixture upon the stakes or trees. 
This mixture, thus exposed, will attract the moths. The 
places should be visited every few minutes with a dark 
lantern, taking care not to throw the light upon the spot 
until near enough to catch the moths in the net if they 
should attempt to escape. 
Mr. F. G. Sanborn — -who informs me that he uses the 
strong-smelling New England molasses in the above-de- 
scribed manner with success — rightly remarks ^^that moths 
may be divided into threp classes by certain species of 
them being affected differently by the appearance of arti- 
ficial light in the night. One class are powerfully attracted 
