42 
PllOCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
times during an evening. The greater number of moths will be found during the 
first hour ; but some species are only taken late at night. Most of them may be 
taken very easily, by holding a pill-box under them, into which they will fall, and 
remain quiet till the next day ; but some are not so quiet. Some persons boil the 
sugar and water, and think it an advantage ; but I have not yet tried it. Of the 
efficacy of the addition of the rum I am sure, having more than once seen one col¬ 
lector use it, and another, at the same time, sugar without it, when the former 
would obtain double the number of Noctuas.”—Zool., vol. ii.,‘p. 400. According to the 
opinions of different entomologists the best places to sugar are—single trees in 
hedgerows, open places in and at the borders of woods, or scattered trees in parks, 
meadows, gardens, &c. Whilst on a visit to that eminent naturalist, Mr. H. 
Doubleday, of Epping, he showed me, in a corner of a field bordering his garden, a 
young tree, the stem of which was not more than five or six inches in diameter. 
For many seasons in succession, he informed me, that he had there captured many 
of our rarest insects, not to mention multitudes of the common species. The tree 
must have been two miles from the forest, and the trunk was quite abraded with 
constant sugaring. As I have already remarked, I have myself had no success in 
sugaring ; but from the numerous records contained in the pages of the “ Zoologist,” 
ofLepidoptera captured in this manner, there seems to be no doubt that it is one of 
the most excellent methods that can be adopted. To enumerate all the species thus 
taken would be an endless task, but I cannot refrain from mentioning some of the 
more remarkable, as “ Luperina abjecta,” “ Dipthera orion,” “Nonagria arun- 
dinicola,” “ Hadena atriplicis,” and “ H. satura,” “ Triphtena subsequa,” “ Glasa 
erythrocephala” (still unique), the beautiful “ Catocalse,” “Fraxini,” “ Pro- 
missa,” “ Sponsa,” and many others. 
We come next to trees, shrubs, &c., attractive to moths. The following may be 
mentioned :—Jasmine, honeysuckle , valerian, bladder campion , reed , French and 
African marigolds, raspberry (when in flower), sweet scabious, thistles, arbutus , privet, 
yew , gooseberry, &c.* To these may be added—nettles, when in flower, which, at 
that period, I have seen swarming with various species of “Agrotis,” “ Triphsena,” 
and u Noctuse.” But these fade into insignificance when compared with the far- 
famed sallow blossoms and ivy bloom. The spring insects, of course, are found on 
the former ; the autumnal, on the latter. The following scarce species have been 
taken on ivy“ Dasycampa rubiginea” (one of our rarest insects), “Agrotis 
Saucia,’’“Xylina petrificata” and “X. semibrunnea,” “Calocampa vetusta,” “ Euperia 
fulvago,” &c. ; and on sallows, amongst others, “Tgeniocampa munda,” “ Popu- 
leti,” “ Miniosa,” “ Opima,” “ Gracilis,” &c. By shaking the sallows over a 
white cloth, the moths may easily be captured, as they fall off, apparently quite 
intoxicated. The ivy bloom should be examined with . a lantern, and the insect, 
when seen, will, if gently tapped, immediately fall into the box prepared to receive 
him, and remain quite quiet. The time to commence searching in this manner 
is, I think, about seven in the evening. I had nearly omitted to mention lime- 
blossoms and syringa. These are certainly, as far as my experience goes, the 
most attractive baits for moths. I have seen lime-trees, and large shrubs of sy¬ 
ringa, when in blossom, actually alive with insects. I have taken upon them 
specimens of the rare “ Spmlotis pyrophila” and “ S. ravida.” The best way of attract¬ 
ing insects is, I think, by lamplight. The “ Zoologist” records many rare species thus 
captured, and I may mention among those taken by myself in this way—“ Xylo- 
phasia sublustris,” “ Cerigo cytherea,” “Neuria saponarim, “ Miana arcuosa,” 
“ Agrotis corticea and cinerea,’’ “ Dianthsecia carpophaga,” “ Hadena adusta,” 
“Eupithecia sobrinaria,” “Centaurearia,” “subfulvaria,” “pusillaria,” “pulchel- 
laria,” &c. Mr. Stainton describes (Zool., 2,030) a very elaborate apparatus he 
employs for this purpose. My method is very simple, being merely to have two 
candles close to the window, when, on favourable nights, if the window be open, 
the moths will fly in and immediately ascend to the ceiling (when they may easily 
be captured with a net) ; or, if the window be closed, will make known their 
anxiety to be admitted; some, by a mild and gentle, others, with a loud and in¬ 
dignant tap. During the still silence which prevails in a retired country-place, 
* Those marked in italics have been found particularly attractive. 
