430 , W. D. FUNKHOUSER 



crowded close together on a branch may be picked off one by one without 

 disturbing the others. It has been found best to approach the individual 

 directly from the front, so that if its spring is made suddenly the insect 

 will leap into the hand rather than away from it; in practically every 

 case the insect leaps straight ahead when disturbed. This method has 

 the additional advantage of always yielding a perfect specimen, since 

 there is little chance of injury in the process. Moreover, the insect 

 in the fingers may be easily transferred to the cyanide bottle without 

 loss of time or opportunity for escape. The fact that Membracidae 

 are harmless, cannot bite nor sting, and have none of the disagreeable 

 odors common to so many of the Hemiptera, is an added advantage 

 for this method of collecting. Moreover the natural joy of discovering 

 and stalking a rare specimen and the satisfaction of making the capture 

 without mechanical aid is an added inducement to the true hunter. But 

 the greatest advantage of this method is the opportunity given to observe 

 the habits of the insects in the field, whether or not the specimen is 

 captured. It is a temptation at first to take the specimen at once, with- 

 out waiting to note its actions; but if this inclination to seize the insect 

 at once is overcome, the subsequent pleasure and profit in observing 

 the life habits well repays the time spent. 



No particular time of day has been found especially favorable for 

 collecting, but, since the insects are most active during the hottest parts 

 of the day, they are more easily seen and more of their habits are observable 

 during those hours in which the temperature is highest. 



The adults collected were usually placed directly in the cyanide bottle, 

 and could be easily carried without danger of injury since their hard 

 bodies and well-covered or closely folded wings prevented their mutilation 

 by being jarred or shaken together. 



Nymphs were placed in vials of 70-per-cent alcohol, of wliich a supply 

 was always carried. If possible all nymphs of a single species, with 

 their attendant ants, were placed in the same vial. 



Eggs and egg masses, with the twigs or the leaves containing them, 

 were placed in vials of 30-per-cent alcohol, and were removed from these 

 to other containers on the return to the laboratory. 



Adults or nymphs that were to be kept alive were placed in large, 

 wide-mouthed vials together with bits of the food plant, and the necks 

 of the vials were loosely plugged with cotton. 



