128 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, '04 



stiffen it and prevent the holes from becoming cracks. The 

 stick can also be divided in the middle, with a pair of ferrules 

 from an old fishing rod securely fitted to the cut ends ; which 

 will make it possible to stow all apparatus away in bag or 

 pockets and avoid the scornful looks and remarks of those who 

 do not entirely appreciate the scientific value of our pursuit. 



Fig. n shows the jointed stick, with the straight ends of the 

 frame tucked into the holes provided for them, which latter 



explains the reason for selecting bamboo, namely, that it is hol- 

 low between the joints, and in addition is very light and strong. 

 The best and most durable material I have been able to find 

 for net-making is white mousseline-de-soie, which can be bought 

 at any drygoods store ; it is a very fine mesh silk veiling, and 

 so woven that the threads do not draw apart, as is the case 

 with any material woven gridiron fashion, like com- 

 mon mosquito netting. The net is cut leg-of-mutton 

 shape, and the seams should be sewed down on both 

 sides ; at the top should be sewed a piece of two inch 

 wide white silk ribbon, turned over, to make a chan- 

 nel for passing the wire through (Fig. 12). Be 

 sure the small end at the bottom is well rounded, 

 leaving no corners. 



KILLING. Ether and chloroform are objectionable from the 

 fact that insects killed by their use usually die with muscles 

 so rigid that it is often difficult to properly set them, and even 

 after taken from the setting board, with wings flat, there is a 

 strong tendency to revert to the position in which they died. 



Insects killed with cyanide of potassium, on the contrary, 

 die in a perfectly relaxed condition. I have never used spirits 

 of ammonia, but imagine it would tend to affect the colors, 

 especially greens and pinks. 



My cyanide bottles for micros are made of the common 

 test-tubes which can be purchased in any drug store for a few 



