CHAPTER XLH. 



COLLECTING IMAGOES. 



THE name imago is applied by naturalists to the perfect form 

 of insects, which is revealed at the conclusion of the round of 

 metamorphoses. In the collection and the preservation of 

 these the most necessary implement at the outset is the net. A 

 simple way of making- a serviceable and strong- net is to take a 

 piece of brass or galvanized iron wire about three feet and six 



inches in length, and about three-sixteenths 

 of an inch in diameter, and having- bent it 

 into the form of a hoop, with the two ends 

 forming- shanks, to insert these into the end 

 of a brass ferule such as is used on fishing-- 

 rods, and fix them there by pouring in melted 

 lead or solder in such a way that the handle 

 can be inserted into the other end of the 

 ferule. This can be easily accomplished by 

 plugging the handle end of the ferule with 

 a piece of soft wood or with clay. The han- 

 dle should be light, and not more than four 

 or five feet in length for ordinary use. To the 

 ring of the net a sack made of green tarletan, 

 or less preferably mosquito-netting, about two and a half times 

 as deep as the diameter of the ring, should be sewn. A piece 

 of green muslin should be then stitched on as a binding over 

 the ring. Green is to be always preferred to any other color 

 as less likely to alarm the insects. Nets with folding rings and 

 jointed bamboo handles are to be had of most dealers, and are 

 to be highly recommended for convenience, if well made. In 

 collecting about electric lights which hang high, and along the 

 woodland walks of tropical forests, it is well to be able to add 



* 



FIG. 88. Net Frame. 

 (After Riley.) a, Wire 

 ring with ends bent to in- 

 sert in ferule 6 ; c, point 

 where plug and net-han- 

 dle meet. 



