COLLECTING AND PRESERVING INSECTS — BANKS. 



39 



micros, uses a piece of springbrass wire, forming a net 6 inches across, 

 leaving the ends straight. A hole is cut through a bamboo stick 

 at the end, and the ends of the wire are inserted. Just before the 

 holes the stick is wrapped tightly 

 with stout cord to prevent splitting. 

 For the net he uses white silk — a 

 very fine-mesh silk veiling. 



The handle of the net is of va- 

 riable length and strength. For 

 beating bushes it is necessary to 

 have a very stout stick, hardly 

 more than 2 feet long. For sweep- 

 ing, the handle may be lighter and 

 longer, 30 to 32 inches. For but- 

 terflies and dragonflies a bamboo 

 handle is very good and may be 3 

 or 4 feet in length. Longer handles may be useful in special cases, 

 and may be fastened to the ordinary handle. Most dealers make a 

 jointed handle, which is a great convenience in packing, and one- 

 half is about the proper length for beating. 



The net may be of various materials. For butterflies a light net is 

 the best; some thin material through which one can see the insect. 

 Some use silk, or a silk gauze; some a material called "tarletan;" 



Fig. 77.— The winding mallet. 





Fig. 78.— The Deyrolle sweeping net: a, Net entire; b, frame; c, d, attachment of frame and 



HANDLE. 



others prefer "bretonne net." What is known as cheese cloth, bobi- 

 net, or even mosquito netting does well for the beginner. For micro- 

 lepidoptera, especially for a small net, a fine quality of silk is best; 

 white china silk lining is good. Particularly in small nets one should 



