PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
41 
then carefully examine the moss itself. Experience alone will enable you to 
detect a spun cocoon. 
“ Searching under loose bark requires no comment. (I will here make an obser¬ 
vation in reference to the Cerurae. The cocoons are found in the bark of the trees 
on which the larvae feed. This is done in such a manner as exactly to resemble the 
natural inequalities of the bark, and it requires the closest investigation to dis¬ 
cover them. The plan I adopt is, having found a poplar of moderate size, to place 
my finger upon the trunk, about six feet from the ground, and slowly drawing it 
down, carefully examine the line thus made, including about half an inch on each 
side of it. It is a laborious, but I have also found it a successful, plan. The 
empty cocoons are very easily detected, and it is advisable to see whether there be 
any on the trunk of a tree, before examining it in the manner recommended 
above, as I have (almost invariably) found that individual trees appear to be 
selected year after year. I pretend not to account for this, but it is the fact.) “ If I 
were asked, which are the most likely trees, 1 should say, those whose branches 
spread out towards the ground, since moths seldom fly to the high branches ; those 
whose roots form an angle filled with loose, dry earth, especially when covered with 
grass; and, lastly, those which have a thick, loose moss upon them. Nothing, 
however, can be more uncertain than any rules upon this matter. 
“No pupa-hunter can hope for success, unless he has a good stock of patience 
and perseverance. He must not mind cold hands, wet feet, or an aching back ; 
for although these are drawbacks, yetis the pursuit quite exciting, when successful, 
and it will reward the seeker, not merely of Lepidoptera, but also of all other orders 
of insects.’’ 
For the purpose of carrying puprn home, when found, any box will answer, 
with a little moss in it, to prevent their rolling about. They should, then, be 
placed in a good-sized box, with a little earth at the bottom. The pupaa are to be 
laid upon the earth, and covered with moss. Some collectors damp the moss 
occasionally; I think it a bad plan; I never do anything to them. The box 
should have rough sides to enable the insect to crawl up, and should also be 
covered with gauze or wire. Care should be taken not to kill an insect until 
the wings are fully dried; but, if possible, it should be killed before its time 
of flight, which, in the case of Noctuaa and Geometrae, is the evening. 
Imago. —As to the most likely places for finding, and the best methods of cap¬ 
turing insects on the wing, it may justly be said—“Tot entomologici, tot 
sententim.” The following, however, are the most deserving of notice:—Daring 
the daytime many Geometrae and some Noctuae may be found by beating the hedges 
(on road-sides and at the borders of woods), furze, underwood, trees, shrubs, &c., 
when the former fly out, and may easily be captured with a net, while the latter 
fall torpid to the ground. Trunks of trees should be carefully examined, as large 
numbers, both of Noctuae and Geometrae, make them their resting-place during the 
day. In the same manner, palings, fences, stumps, and old walls should be 
searched, especially on the side sheltered from the sun and wind. So far, during the 
daytime. As regards the evening and night, there are three plans particularly 
deserving of notice—sugaring, examining the trees, shrubs, &c., attractive to 
Lepidoptera, and lamplight. The first of these I have often tried, but have met 
with little success. Not so, however, with other collectors. Mr. Douglas has, in 
the pages of the “Zoologist,” given many valuable instructions on this, and other 
points connected with the study and pursuit of Entomology; and I cannot do better 
than quote some of his remarks—“ The strongest brown sugar, known as 
4 Jamaica-foots,’ is mixed with hot water to the consistence of treacle, or somewdiat 
thinner, and a small portion of rum added and stirred in; the composition is then 
laid on the trunks of trees, in favourable situations, with a painter’s brush. I have 
found that it is better to make long and narrow streaks than broad patches. 
Many species do not like to wet their feet, and sit and sip the nectar modestly, 
and at a distance ; others are not so careful, but rush readily on their destruction. 
The sugar should be put on the trees at dusk, before the moths fly; for I have 
repeatedly observed that, if used afterwards, there will not be nearly so many 
come. With a lantern suspended from the neck, and thereby preserving an 
upright position during every movement, the collector may visit the trees several 
