63 



The plants will keep the water in a right condition for the water 

 insects to live in ; more water should be added from time to 

 time to replace that which evaporates. In such an aquarium 

 place any insects found in water and watch their habits. 



Where to Collect Insects. 



The border of a piece of woods where many shrubs and weeds 

 are growing is an especially good place for collecting many kinds 

 of insects. Any place where there is a great variety of plants 

 and flowers will give a variety of insects. Banks of streams and 

 underneath stones in the fields are good places for collecting. 



When to Collect Insects. 



The best time of the year is during the summer months. 

 The best times of day is in the forenoon after eight o'clock ; 

 and in the twilight at evening. . 



At night many moths may be caught by making a paste of 

 sugar and water (unrefined sugar is best) and painting it upon 

 tree trunks with a brush after sunset. The paste should cover 

 a space two inches wide and several inches long. After dark 

 seek these places cautiously with a lantern and moths will be 

 found sucking the paste : these may be caught with the' killing 

 bottle if you move carefully so as not to frighten them ; they 

 do not seem to mind the light of the lantern. 



Electric street-lights attract many insects which may be 

 caught in the net. A lamp set in an open window is also a 

 very good lure on warm nights in the spring and summer. 



Arranging the Insects in Boxes. 



After collecting insects comes the desire to arrange them 

 properly; putting together in neat rows those that resemble 

 each other. To classify insects correctly requires much study. 

 The scope of this leaflet admits of only a few suggestions about 

 the most common insects. 



Dragon Flies. — There are many kinds of these but they all 

 have four wings, finely netted and transparent, the hind wings 

 being as large or larger than the front wings. These are per- 

 fectly harmless insects. 



