HOW TO COLLECT, PRESERVE & STTDY INSECTS' 231 



corns, Clirysomelids and others, while the gummy sap 

 from Acacias often creates meeting places for Longicorns 

 and Curculionids. The latter are also found in wild fruit, 

 on and under bark of trees, and other beetles such as 

 Buprestids^ Elaterids, etc., may be found on branches 

 and trunks of trees. Fungi very often harbour a number 

 of small beetles, not to be found elsewhere, and the sifting 

 of soil containing much humus will usually repay in 

 minute forms after the bigger species have been sufficient- 

 ly dealt with. Eemember that among the smaller things 

 there is most likelihood of discovering new species; and 

 many, though unattractive to the naked eye, will delight 

 the entomologist with an artistic taste on account of 

 their beautiful pateerns and forms, w^hen a magnifying 

 glass is used, Xot less interesting are such beetles as 

 the Paussidne and Pselaphidie which live in ants' nests 

 and perform there a function which causes ants not only 

 to tolerate but even to care for them in the same way as 

 we care for our pet dog or canary. Those who like to 

 study the specialization of organs which environment 

 and habits have brought about cannot do better than 

 examine these often minute forms in their habitats. 



With some species the butterfly-net is required, but in 

 most cases their capture is to be done by hand. To catch 

 the few water-beetles found in this country a small water 

 net is necessary although several of the species are 

 attracted by lights. The turning over of stones, the lift- 

 ing up of logs of dead wood and the collecting of dead 

 wood is often profitable, especially the latter method. 

 Such dead wood is preferably kept in a small room of 

 stone or brick, without a window and with roof and 

 door close fitting. In the door a small hole is made, in 

 front of which a box is fitted with glass bottom. The 

 lid should slide in such a manner that it can be with- 

 drawn and inserted without leaving an opening between 

 the door and the box for the beetles to escape. When the 

 lid is withdrawn the glass bottom serves as a windo\y 



