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This is the poorest year for catching insects I have seen. Positively, it is a lean year. 

The netters put out traps in the woods last night. We use the night lanterns every night, but the stars are very bright, and the results are very meagre. 

There are lots of fossils and we are gathering some, but of course they are very heavy, and complicate the matter of transportation. The collectors are very disappointed and complain of the ill luck. Labelled boxes 351-3, Insects from the Kongshien district. 

Aug. 1. The Chuan Miao gave me a great ceremonious welcome today. Fourteen years ago I was instrumental in starting the first primary school among them here, and it is still thriving. A graduate has finished high school. The nearby Chinese official was present. There was singing, exercises by the students, folk dancing, etc. The netters have worked hard all day. A good snake was caught. 

Last night at Loh Biao there was a fight between brigands and the militia. The brigands escaped. Shooting was not advisable today. 

The collectors are putting out more traps tonight. So far night-moth catching has been very unfruitful, because of unfavorable weather. 

Aug. 2. We are positively having the worst luck I have ever had collecting. There seem to be no wild mountain mice, and practically no other mammals here. The insects are scarce, and they do not come to the night lanterns. Several times there have been thunder storms in the afternoon, as there was today, but always the stars shine brightly at night. We are getting more bees and wasps than anything else. The altitude here is 3000 feet. 

Aug. 3. Got a few insects and one snake. Another heavy thunder and rain storm this afternoon, and again tonight the stars are shining brightly. 

Luck is certainly against us this year. 

Aug. 4. For the first time tonight we have had a tiny bit of luck. Some fine moths have come to the night lanterns. 

We are planning to go to Mt. Omei and see what we can catch on the way to the top of Mt. Omei. Maybe we can have better luck there.