XXII 

 COLLECTING 



Tools 



The one most indispensable tool of the insect collector is 

 a killing bottle. This is a wide-mouth bottle of any sort 

 containing cyanide of potassium or some other quick-acting 

 poison. The cyanide, if mixed with a little boracic acid, will 

 give off its poisonous fumes more readily. It is usually 

 fastened either in the bottom of the bottle, under retaining 

 discs, or in the hollow stopper. Insects are very susceptible 

 to the fumes, and when placed in- 

 side they are quickly killed, and so, 

 are obtained undamaged. Many 

 insects may be collected with a 

 cyanide bottle alone, by handpick- 

 ing. 



Next in importance is an insect net 

 of some sort. The standard net is 

 twelve inches in diameter of rim and 

 a handle 2J to 3 feet long. The bag 

 should be rounded or tapered to the 

 bottom and, for convenience in 

 using, its depth should not exceed 

 the length of the collector's arm. A „_ M . .. , , 



° Fig. 60. — A cyanide bottle. 



net is quite necessary for capturing 



swift-flying insects. For taking dragonflies and butterflies 



it should be light and strong, and of rather open mesh. 



177 



