practical entomology. ^iss 



Collecting. 



Having obtaiaed your case, the next step is to procure insects to 

 fill it. The farmer needs no special rules on this point, as there is 

 scarcely a day passes during their season but he can capture one or 

 more specimens, while pui'suing, and without interfering with, his 

 labors. Before going into the field, he should put a couple of pill 

 boxes in his pocket in which to imprison the insect he may capture 

 until he returns home, when he can have it mounted. A handker- 

 chief or piece of paper will often answer the purpose. A butterfly, 

 or moth, may be pinned in the top of the hat. Coleojjteroiis insects, 

 as beetles, are met with in the field during planting and sowing. 

 Lepidopterous insects are found in the garden, orchard, wood yard, 

 particularly among the flowers ; and this order embraces the most 

 coveted specimens. For capturing specimens, a net is required. It 

 may be made of coarse muslin in the shape of a sugar loaf, the open 

 end fastened to a round stiff wire or ring, about eight inches in di- 

 ameter, and should be twelve inches deep, with handle about two 

 and one-half or three feet long, fastened to the ring. This is very 

 convenient for taking many insects, and it may also be used as a dip 

 net for water insects. Rare specimens can be obtained by placing 

 a lighted lamp in a window, in the evening, towards a flower garden, 

 or the open country. Many moths will come on the outside of the 

 glass, and may thus be secured. 



Implements, etc. 



Entomologists use implements of various kinds, but I will only 

 name those necessary, and of the simplest kind. They are a setting 

 board, pincers, two setting needles, common brass pins, paper and 

 wooden braces, awl, vial of chloroform, and some gum arabic. The 

 not has already been described. Some small pill or metal boxes are 

 required. The setting board must be made of soft pine or basswood, 

 and pierced with holes of various depths. This is for holding the 

 insects in proper shape, until they are dry and suitable to place in 

 the cabinet (see plate.) The pincers are for handling the specimens. 

 The setting needles may be made of slim darning needles or any steel 

 wire, with a wooden handle. One of them should be slightly hooked 

 at the point, and they may be fastened to the sides or ends of the board 

 when not in use — (see plate.) The pins should be of various lengths, 



