56 



striking it against the grass in front of you as you walk through 

 open fields ; the net must be turned at each stroke and kept in 

 rapid motion or the insects will escape. After a time the net 

 should be examined and the insects put in the killing bottle. 



Another method of using the net is called "beating." This 

 method is used in collecting insects from bushes and consists of 

 lifting the net, mouth upward, and striking it sharply against 

 the branches or leaves, thus jarring the insects into it. 



To use the net in water sweep the water plants as quickly as 

 possible. In running streams overturn stones, holding the net 

 just below them with the mouth up stream. An old dipper 

 made into a sieve by perforating, the bottom with an awl is a 

 good utensil for collecting water insects. 



The Killing Bottle, Fig. 2. 



It is desirable to kill the insects in a humane 

 way so that they will not suffer by the process; 

 it is also desirable that they should not revive 

 after they are pinned, both for their own sakes 

 as well as for the sake of the feelings of the col- 

 lector. The best way to secure painless and 

 sure death for the insects is by the means of a 

 " cyanide bottle." 

 Materials needed for a killing bottle : 



I. A bottle with a wic^e mouth ; a morphine 

 bottle or a small olive or pickle bottle will do. 

 Even a glass fruit-can holding a pint will 



answer very well, although taking off and putting on the cover 



consumes more time than is desirable. 



2. A cork that will fit the bottle tightly and is long enough 

 to handle easily. 



3. Two cents' worth of cyanide of potassium. 



4. One cent's worth of plaster of Paris. 



These latter materials may be procured from any drug store. 



Place the lump of cyanide of potassium in the bottle and pour 

 in enough water to cover it. Add immediately enough plaster of 

 Paris to soak up all the water; leave the bottle open in a shady 



Poisorv 



Fig 2. Killing 

 bottle. 



