THE BUTTERFLY HUNTERS. 5 



were firm and nervous. But, as he looked at his stout and 

 sturdy cousin, he thought it best not to boast too loudly. 



Mending the torn net proved to be too nice a job for 

 Hal's skill, and the boys went into the house to ask Rose's 

 assistance. 



Of course Tom must have a net too, so Hal immedi- 

 ately set to work upon the frame. He took a common 

 flat barrel-hoop, and slit off a strip about a quarter of an 

 inch in width. Of this he made a hoop about a foot in 

 diameter, which he bound with wire to a light hickory 

 rod of the thickness of a parasol handle and about three 

 feet long. When he had completed his frame. Rose took 

 a circular pieco of mosquito-netting, about three quarters 

 of a yard in diameter, and bound it firmly to the hoop, 

 and the net was finished. Butterfly nets can be bought 

 ready made ; but any boy who is handy with his knife 

 can make his own. The frame should be light so as not 

 to fatigue the hand, and at the same time strong enough 

 to endure a good deal of rough work among the bushes. 

 A piece of ratan from an old umbrella makes a good 

 hoop ; and nothing is better for the handle than a farmer's 

 goad-stick or wooden whip, which is light, strong, and not 

 too elastic. Great attention should be paid to joining the 

 handle to the hoop. If this is not firmly done, the frame 

 may come in two when you are in hot pursuit of butter- 

 flies, and if you have not with you the means of repairing 

 the damage, you may lose your whole day's sport 



