
PREFACE. 
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insect world, on a balmy night of summer or autumn, the collector, by placing a light near his open 
window, may ensure the appearance of a variety of moths ; indeed on a favourable night they will follow 
each other in almost uninterrupted succession, from dusk to dawn, attracted by the tr 
And how interesting is it to the naturalist to watch the punctuality with which each 
nightly traveller, or set of travellers, keeps to fixed and stated hours of flight ; every period of the night 
ar visitants; so that a clock of moths may be imagined, as Linnzeus formed a dial of 
eacherous beacon, 
to their capture. 
having its peculi 
flowers *. 
Many other methods of attracting moths may be adopted with equal success. A female moth, taken 
into the fields or woods, which the species is likely to frequent, will generally attract many males to the 
spot where she is placed. I have known many beautiful specimens of the Emperor moth captured within 
the short space of half an hour by this method. Mr. Doubleday has recently tried the experiment of 
brushing a mixture of sugar and water upon the bark of trees where moths are likely to abound, and 
found the plan perfectly successful, having captured immense numbers this season in that way, many of 
them of the most rare and beautiful species. -And an ingenious collector, by studying nature and 
closely examining the habits of the insects, may adopt many other modes equally, or perhaps more, 
successful. 
I had originally intended forming a separate work of the Sphinges ; but, finding them not sufficiently 
numerous, I have determined to give them with the Moths, of which work they will occupy a few of the 
early numbers. 
1s ee ol se 
October, 1841. 

* 1 nee ; . ; : 
From the early-expanding convolvulus to the evening primrose and night-flowering cereus a clock may be formed, which would indicate 
the time by the opening of a flower, instead of the striking of a bell. 

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