35 
The gnats and midges were particularly vicious ; Choerocampa 
elpenor was taken hovering near but not on the sugar, and every patch 
of sugar produced its quota, including Arsilonche albovenosa and 
Plusia festucae. 
But it was at the sheet that the excitement was greatest; there 
the fun waxed fast and furious ! We were surrounded by a flying 
host, and much puzzled as to which to go for first. 
The artful Meliana flammea generally tried to hide itself at the 
bottom of the sheet, and we found it a good plan to have the sheet 
sufficiently long to form a little curtain on the ground. Now, a word 
of caution—don’t box flammed : clap it into the Cyanide bottle, as it 
flies about so much. Then Nonagria arundinis came along, and then 
a prize, a female Arundinis. Next, a lot of big things, Smerinthus 
ocellatus, Sphinx ligustri, Smerinthus populi, Lasiocampa quercifolia, 
Dicranura vinula, and swarms of Odonestis potatoria, which soon 
became a perfect nuisance. 
When there was a lull we took a turn round the sugar, and found 
many of the genus Leucania, more P. festucae, and Spilosoma urticae 
with other decent things, and many specimens were boxed. 
We found a good plan was to take a plentiful supply of bottles, at 
least ten, including two extra large ones, which we called “stockpots,” 
and into which we emptied the smaller bottles from time to time. 
We kept the specimens in the “ stockpots ” for not less than 24 hours, 
when they became again relaxed and ready for pinning out. 
From the sugar “round” we returned again to the sheet, and filled 
every bottle and box we possessed. 
Satisfied at last, we returned to the Farm, and put all our boxes 
into the ammonia tins, had our supper, and retired to bed, there to 
dream of the Hydrilla palustris which we did not get. 
xx. 
