252 ELEMENTARY STUDIES IN INSECT LIFE 



long, with two corners beveled in accordance with dimen- 

 sions marked in the figure. On the side, at the middle 

 of the four-inch table, a metal post about one-fourth inch 

 in diameter is set in the block, and extends four inches 

 above the table. Around this post one end of a wire 

 sufficiently heavy to hold the weight of the lens is 

 wrapped three or four times ; the other end is made into 

 a loop, to hold the lens. The coil on the post will slide 

 up and down, enabling the operator to focus the lens. 

 In some cases a small square of glass fastened on the 

 dissecting-table will be found helpful. This enables the 

 needles to cut more accurately. When the specimen is 

 to be held in a stationary position, fasten to the table a 

 slice from a large cork, or a small slip of .soft wood, then 

 pin to this the insect in the position desired. 



Dissecting-needles can be made by driving the head of 

 a sewing-needle into a wooden penholder or stick of 

 similar size. Two of these needles will be required. 



Two grades of pencil will be required, a soft pencil 

 and a hard pencil. 



The main qualification in a note-book is the paper. 

 This should be white, of good weight, unruled, and well 

 finished. These note-books can be made. The paper of 

 the desired quality, high-grade flat cap of proper weight, 

 for example, can be purchased and cut into pages about 

 8^ by 6| inches. These can be kept in an old book 

 cover, or heavy cardboard cover. When a drawing has 

 been satisfactorily finished on a sheet, the sheet, accom- 

 panied by its notes, can be laid aside in serial order. 

 It will be found advisable to make each drawing large 

 and distinct. It is advisable to place only one drawing 

 upon a page. Should more than one drawing appear 



