affords and requires such multitudes of employments, and a nation of
naturalists is neither to be hoped or desired; but it is surely not
improper to point out a fresh amusement to those who languish in health,
and repine in plenty, for want of some source of diversion that may be
less easily exhausted, and to inform the multitudes of both sexes, who
are burthened with every new day, that there are many shews which they
have not seen. He that enlarges his curiosity after the works of nature,
demonstrably multiplies the inlets to happiness.”[157]
[157] Johnson.
The characters by which the several classes of insects are
distinguished, have been already explained in pages 218 and 219; their
transformations have likewise been fully described; I shall now proceed
to enumerate the best methods of obtaining them in their different
states. Justice to the merits of two eminent naturalists[158] obliges me
to mention, that to them I am indebted for a considerable part of these
instructions.
[158] Lettsom’s Naturalist’s Companion; Curtis’s Instructions for
Collecting and Preserving Insects. Both these tracts are now become
very scarce.
Of all the different classes or orders of insects, that called
LEPIDOPTERA is not only one of the most numerous, but the most
beautiful, with respect to the variety as well as richness of their
colours; and, as from the peculiar delicacy of their structure, they
require greater care to be used in catching, as well as in preserving
them, it will be proper first to speak of, and be more particular in the
directions concerning them.
THE METHOD OF PROCURING MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES.
There are two methods of collecting insects of this kind; first, by
breeding; secondly, by catching them in their fly state: of these, the
former is by much the preferable mode; as, besides the pleasure which
arises from observing the gradual progress of the insects from their egg
or caterpillar to their perfect or fly state, they may be killed before
they have sustained the smallest injury in the farina or meal of their
wings by flying.
The difficulty likewise in procuring the most beautiful and valuable
insects of this class in their fly state, renders this method by far the
most eligible. Most of the sphinges of Linnæus, or, as they are usually
called, hawk-moths, are but seldom met with in their fly state, and when
seen on the wing, generally elude the swiftest pursuit; but in their
caterpillar state they are frequently found, and easily taken. Thus the
caterpillar of the sphinx atropos or jasmine hawk-moth, the largest and
most beautiful species of moth this country produces,[159] is often
found feeding on the jasmine and potatoe, and sometimes on green elder;
the sphinx elpenor or elephant hawk-moth, on the Galium palustre or
white ladies-bed-straw; the sphinx ocellata or eyed hawk-moth, on the
willow and apple-trees; sphinx tiliæ or lime hawk-moth, on the
lime-tree; sphinx lagustri or privet hawk-moth, on the privet; phalæna
pavonia or emperor-moth, on the briar, black-thorn, willow, &c. and so
of a great number of others.
[159] Desirous as every collector must be of obtaining these moths, it
is certain there are many persons still existing, who would consider
it as a great calamity were one of them to fly into, or even approach
their habitation; and so far from affording the pretty fugitive an
asylum, would experience the highest satisfaction at his speedy
departure. The reason, if it be not a prostitution of the term, is,
that as the plumage on the back of this moth exhibits somewhat of the
resemblance of a death’s head, these intelligent prognosticators
(naturalists they cannot be called) are fully convinced that this
harmless insect must be the harbinger of mortality, and that its
appearance infallibly portends speedy death to some one of the family!
Indeed, to weak minds, especially if previously debilitated by
sickness, such an idea, if permitted to prey upon their spirits, may
be productive of fatal consequences, and thus stamp a credit on the
prophetic abilities of those sagacious observers of the mysteries of
nature. To medical men, who are daily witnesses of the wonderful
influence which the mind possesses over the body in a diseased state,
such events do not appear at all surprizing.
THE METHOD OF COLLECTING MOTHS, &C. IN THEIR CATERPILLAR STATE.
Independent of the method of collecting caterpillars by an attentive
examination of the leaves, and other parts of plants, at those times of
the year when they are in full verdure, there is another, viz. by
beating the boughs of trees, particularly the taller ones, with long
poles, having previously spread a large sheet underneath to receive them
as they drop from the trees. By these means many very valuable
caterpillars are frequently obtained, which could not otherwise be
procured without considerable difficulty. Caterpillars should be handled
as little as possible, particularly those with smooth skins; the more
hairy ones in general sustain less injury by it. To convey them home
with safety, the collector should be provided with a chip box in his
pocket; and it would be proper to have it partly filled with fresh
leaves.
THE METHOD OF REARING OR BREEDING THEM.
Having procured the caterpillars, our next endeavour must be to rear
them. For this purpose; it will be indispensably necessary to afford
them an ample supply of the plant on which they are found feeding, and
to renew their food as often as the decay of that first procured for
them may render it expedient. Insects in this state usually feed
voraciously; the caterpillar of the papilio brassica has been known to
consume in one day twice its own weight of food. Although many of them
live on a variety of food, the greatest part are attached to some
particular kind; deprived of which, some species would form objects less
beautiful when arrived at their perfect state, and others infallibly
perish.
As to many it may prove very inconvenient to supply the caterpillars
with fresh food daily, to avoid this trouble, several sprigs of the tree
or plant may be put into a wide-mouthed glass filled with water, and the
caterpillars placed on them. Most plants may in this manner be preserved
fresh for three or four days. The glass, together with the caterpillars
and their food, is to be placed in the breeding box represented in the
figure annexed, _a_, shews an opening in the front covered with gauze;
_b_, the door on the side; _c_, a ring for conveniency of carriage; and
a constant supply of fresh food is to be given them, as soon as the
former appears in the least withered. The breeding boxes should never be
exposed to the scorching rays of the sun, but placed in a cool and shady
situation; nor should they contain more than one kind of caterpillar, as
some species devour others.
[Illustration]
When arrived at their full growth, the caterpillars leave off eating,
and soon after, change into the chrysalis or pupa form; previous to
which, butterflies spin a little web, just sufficient to suspend
themselves by: many of the moths, like the silk-worm, spin a large web,
in which they inwrap themselves; and a great number penetrate into the
earth, where they spin themselves cases, or change without any spinning,
as do most of the sphinges or hawk-moths. It will therefore be necessary
to cover the bottom of the box with fine mould to the depth of four or
five inches, and keep it constantly moist.
It frequently happens that caterpillars are what the aurelians call
stung, that is, have the eggs of the ichneumon-fly deposited in them, of
which operation a full account has been given in pages 295-298.
Caterpillars, previous to their going into the chrysalis state,
generally lose the brilliancy of their colours, and many of them rove
about for some time.
After remaining in their chrysalis state till near the time of their
coming forth, such as are inclosed in a hard case or spinning, as the
phalæna vinula, puss moth; phalæna quercus, great egger moth, &c. are to
be carefully freed from it; as the aperture which the insect naturally
makes is often too narrow for it to pass through without sustaining
considerable injury in its plumage. The opening will be best made, by
cutting off the larger extremity of the case, taking especial care not
to wound the inclosed pupa or chrysalis.
The learned Dr. Bellardi, Foreign Member of the Linnean Society, &c. a
few years since discovered a new method of feeding silk-worms, when they
are hatched before the mulberry-trees have produced leaves, or when the
tender branches are destroyed by frost: how far this practice may be
successfully applied in other instances, seems as yet undetermined;
though from some recent experiments, it appears possible that
caterpillars may be thus fed in backward seasons. This method consists
in giving the caterpillar-the dried leaves of their accustomed food
reduced to powder, and gently moistened with water; a thin coating of
which must be placed round the young worms, who will immediately begin
to feed upon it. The Doctor informs us that the caterpillars of the
silk-worm prefer it to any other food, and devour it with the utmost
avidity. The leaves should be gathered towards the close of the autumn,
before the frost commences, in dry weather, and when the heat is
greatest; they must be dried in the sun by spreading them upon large
cloths, and after being reduced into powder, laid up in a dry place.
Donovan says,[160] that the experiment has been tried with several
caterpillars which were nearly full fed on the leaves of thorns and oaks
thus prepared, and that they were observed to eat it when no other food
was given, but he cannot determine how far they may thrive if fed on
that aliment only.
[160] Treatise on the Management of Insects.
THE METHOD OF COLLECTING THEM IN THEIR CHRYSALIS STATE.
Butterflies and moths may often be found in chrysalis under the
projection of garden walls, pales, out-houses, in summer-houses, &c. and
frequently affixed to the food on which the caterpillar fed. A great
variety of moths in the pupa state may with more certainty be found,
during the winter months, by digging under the trees on which they feed,
particularly under the oak, willow, lime, and elm trees. When they are
procured in this manner, they should be placed as soon as convenient in
the breeding box before described, and kept covered with moist earth
till the ensuing spring; when, as soon as the weather is mild, they may
be dug up and placed somewhat nearer the surface of the mould, and in
that manner left to come out of themselves. Should the collector not
succeed in procuring chrysalides by this method, it will frequently
happen that his labour will be amply recompensed by obtaining a variety
of beetles.
THE METHOD OF COLLECTING THEM IN THEIR FLY OR PERFECT STATE.
[Illustration]
The extreme delicacy of the wings of moths and butterflies will not
admit of their being caught without injury, but in nets made of the
finest materials. It will be necessary, therefore, that the collector
should provide himself with a net properly adapted to this purpose: the
one here represented has, after long experience, been found to answer
extremely well. Fig. A shews the net expanded ready for use; _a_
exhibits the part made of fine Scotch gauze, which should be previously
dyed green; _b_ _b_, the sticks; these should be of some light wood. To
render them compact and convenient for carriage, they are made to take
to pieces somewhat in the manner of fishing-rods, and connected by means
of screws or hollow brass ferrils fixed to the end of each: there are
three of them for each side of the net. Fig. B shews one of the sticks;
_a_, the brass ferril; _b_, the end of the next stick, which fixes tight
into it; to the upper end of the sticks, at _c_, is joined in like
manner a piece of cane bent to a proper shape. Instead of three pieces
of wood, as here described, the other stick may consist of one entire
piece, and be used as a walking-stick. The gauze must be edged with two
pieces of binding sewed together, to receive the sticks when joined;
and, as the sticks are taper, so must be the cavity to receive them. At
the lower part the gauze is to be turned up about six inches, so as to
form a bag, Fig. A, _c_. At the extremity of the gauze, next the
handles, two pieces of tape must be fixed on each side, _d_ _d_, of
sufficient length to pass through a hole bored in the stick, and then be
tied in a loop, so as to prevent the gauze from sliding on the sticks.
At the upper part of the net where the canes meet, _e_, the cavity
should be closed by a few stitches, that the sticks may shut even
together. The net may be about a yard in width when expanded, and the
length of it a yard and an half: the size, however, may be varied at
pleasure. The gauze should be deprived of its glazing by being soaked
for a short time in warm water; but, if dyed green, which is usually the
case, this will be unnecessary. The handles are to be held one in each
hand, when the net is used.[161]
[161] Though this net be principally intended for catching moths and
butterflies on the wing, it maybe usefully applied to another purpose:
if one person expand the net under a bush or branch intended for
examination, and another shake the bush, or beat it well with a stick,
numbers of caterpillars, as well as some of the minuter kinds of
coleopterous, and other insects, will fall into the net. By these
means moths are likewise often taken, as they remain in a torpid state
during the day, sheltered in the bushes.
[Illustration]
Besides the gauze net for catching butterflies, &c., the collector
should be provided with a pair of forceps, made of steel, about nine or
ten inches in length, and of the shape represented in the figure;[162]
the fans are to be covered with fine green gauze. This instrument will
in many instances be found exceedingly commodious, as being of more
general use; it is very portable, and possesses this advantage over the
net, that the insect caught in it will be more confined, and
consequently not so liable to injure its down. If the insect be met with
on the trunk of a tree, paling, or any flat surface, it may be readily
caught; if on a leaf, both may be enclosed in the forceps. Whilst in the
forceps, it should be pressed with the thumb, or, if the creature be
small, with the thumb-nail, sufficient to stupify, but not crush it.
[162] This figure shews the forceps in the proportions in which they
have been generally made; I would, however, recommend the fans to be
considerably larger, and the handles shorter. The form of the fans has
commonly been either hexagonal, or, the worst of all, triangular;
experience has taught me that the shape as here given is to be
preferred, as being less liable to miss the insects, who are usually
upon their guard, and frequently elude the vigilance of their
pursuers. A front view of the fans is given, the better to shew their
form; but it is obvious that they must be placed in a contrary
direction, so as to flap on, not slide over, each other.
The next articles necessary to be provided, will be two or three oval
chip boxes, cut sufficiently flat for the pocket, and lined at top and
bottom with thin cork; and a cushion well stored with pins of various
sizes.
The collector being now furnished with the necessary instruments, it
will be proper to give him such instructions as may enable him to use
them. With regard to the manner of using the net with expertness and
success, this knowledge will be much better acquired by practice than by
the most ample description. Harris, in his elegant work, The Aurelian,
has been rather diffusive than clear on this subject. Having caught the
butterfly or moth in the net, it will be necessary to proceed with
caution, as on killing it properly its beauty in a great measure
depends. It should not be laid hold of indiscriminately in any part; but
by managing skilfully the net, its wings must, if possible, be brought
into an erect position or close together; then press the under part of
the thorax or breast between the thumb and the fore-finger sufficiently
hard to kill the insect. By carefully attending to these directions, the
wings will not be distorted or the plumage injured.
The net being now opened, the insect is to be laid hold of by one of its
antennæ or horns, and again placed between the thumb and fore-finger; in
which situation it is to be held, while a pin proportioned to its size
is stuck through the upper part of the thorax or back; it may then be
affixed to the pocket-box by sticking the point of the pin into the cork
lining. The larger kinds of these insects, especially moths and
hawk-moths, which are far more tenacious of life than butterflies, will
not expire so readily by this method, as by fixing them upon the bottom
of a cork exactly fitted to the mouth of a bottle into which a little
sulphur has been put; by gradually heating the bottle till an exhalation
of the sulphur takes place, the insect usually dies without injuring its
colour or plumage.
THE METHOD OF MANAGING THEM IN THEIR FLY STATE.
Though by the means just described these insects may be caught
uninjured, some farther care is requisite in order to make them appear
to advantage; this is called setting them, and is performed in the
following manner. The insect being stuck through with a pin of a proper
size, is to be placed before its wings are become stiff, on a piece of
cork, having a smooth surface and covered with white paper. The body of
the fly should not be made to touch the cork when the insect is affixed
to it, but to stand up some little distance from it, as only the edges
of both wings are intended to touch, not the wings to lie flat on the
cork. The wings are then to be expanded, as in the figure, with a fine
needle, or some sharp-pointed instrument. The instruments used in the
operation for the eye called couching, being fixed to taper handles, are
peculiarly commodious for this purpose.
[Illustration]
The upper edges of the superior wings are to be placed in a line with
the head of the insect, and they are to be kept in this situation by
means of little braces, formed of card-paper and cut in the shape
represented in the figure; a number of which should always be kept in
readiness in a small box. These must be proportioned to the size of the
wings, and fitted to their shape, by being more or less bent; by a
proper attention to which, the spots, &c. on both wings are rendered
conspicuous, and the beauties of the insect exhibited in full
perfection. To acquire the method, however, of setting them well,
requires considerable practice and some ingenuity. After remaining in
this position four or five days, or till the insect is become thoroughly
stiff, the braces may be taken off, and the insect removed into the
store box. The shape of the store box is immaterial; it should, however,
be flat, and may be made either of wood, or, which is preferable, of
tin. The inside should be lined with thin cork and covered with paper,
and some slips of cloth glued to its edges to make it shut closer, and
thus exclude as much as possible insects and animalcula; a little
camphor tied in a bit of rag, and pinned to a corner of the box, will be
found very useful to prevent their depredations.
It is particularly to be observed, that there is a continual succession
of insects as well as of plants; some appear with the early primrose,
others accompany the late-flowering ivy: so that in this respect, the
aurelian and entomologist may regulate their excursions by those of the
botanist; the latter would in vain search for the ranunculus ficaria or
pile-wort, in the month of July, and the former be equally disappointed
in seeking for the papilio cardamines, orange-tip, in the month of
August.
Some of these insects continue longer in their fly state, and their
plumage is less injured by flying, than others; some continue for a few
days only; others, several weeks. In general, moths and butterflies,
unless they are caught the first day of their coming out of chrysalis,
are of small value; hence arises the necessity of carefully watching
those particulars, and of making frequent excursions in order to obtain
them in the greatest perfection.
Butterflies are to be caught on the wing only when the sun shines warm.
They inhabit a variety of places; the greatest number of them frequent
woods, and may be taken in or near them, as the papilio iris, purple
emperor; papilio hyperantus, ringlet; and most, if not all the
fritillaries. Some delight in meadows, as the papilio jurtina, meadow
brown; galathea, marbled white; C. album, comma; rhamni, brimstone: and
others frequent gardens, as the brassicæ and rapæ, large and small
garden white; others, again, clover fields, corn fields, heaths, lanes,
&c. Many of those which frequent woods are taken with much greater
facility in the morning, a few hours after sun-rise; at which time they
are found feeding on the flowers that grow by the sides of the woods;
afterwards, when the sun shines with greater strength, they fly high,
and with such rapidity, as not to be taken but with the utmost
difficulty.
Moths fly chiefly in the evening, a little after sun-set. Like
butterflies, they inhabit a variety of places, and are to be met with in
the greatest plenty near woods; they may also be taken in great numbers
in the day-time by beating the hedges, &c. more particularly in the
afternoon, as the least motion will then put them on the wing. They are
likewise frequently met with in the day-time sticking to the bark of
trees, on walls, and pales that surround gardens, &c. and may be thus
caught in great perfection. Some few, like the butterflies, fly in the
middle of the day, when the sun shines warm, over the flowers of
honey-suckles, and other plants with tubular flowers. Insects of this
species seldom sit to feed, but continue vibrating on the wing while
they thrust their tongue or proboscis into the flower.
Geoffroy says that moths may be taken in great plenty by means of a
candle or lanthorn carried into or near some wood, towards dark.
Independent of the recommendation of authority so respectable, the
well-known propensity that moths have to fly towards, and even into
candles, has induced some collectors to adopt this method with success;
many of the most valuable caterpillars have also been thus obtained.
THE METHODS OF COLLECTING INSECTS OF THE BEETLE KIND.
By these are meant all such, as are included in Linnæus’s first order of
insects, under the term COLEOPTERA; these have generally been called
scarabæi or beetles: some few of them have obtained distinct English
names, as the chaffer, lady-bird, earwig, &c. and all have been divided
by Linnæus into genera and species.
The insects of this, as well as the preceding and following order, may
be found in their caterpillar or grub state, in which they often prove
extremely destructive to the roots of plants; and may in like manner be
brought to their perfect or fly state, regard being had to their
different manner of feeding. The time and care, however, required for
this purpose, is probably more than can be spared by the generality of
collectors; the curious entomologist, possessed of both leisure and
abilities to engage in the pursuit, will be enabled to establish with
certainty the different genera of insects. These insects are generally
collected in their fly state: some creep and fly in the day-time when
the sun shines warm; others, like the moth, fly in the evening and the
night only.