CHAPTER IX. 



PREPARING FOR THE CABINET. 



To secure some of the more powerful butterflies is often 

 no easy matter, but the task is a hght one compared 

 with that of capturing many of the larger Dragonflies. 

 Not only are their speed and power of flight greater, 

 but they also seem to exhibit a high degree of 

 intelligence in avoiding the collector's net. He must 

 combat this by using a larger net, and possibly a 

 telescopic handle, and by employing strategy, such as 

 hiding motionless by the side of bushes near a Dragon- 

 fly's track, so that it may be thrown off its guard, and 

 approach within reach of its enemy's net. When the 

 chance occurs no bungling stroke must be made, or the 

 Dragonfly is usually gone for ever. 



We presume, however, that the capture has been 

 made. What is to be done with the prisoner ? Pill- 

 boxes of so great a diameter would be required for one 

 of the larger species, that to carr\' any number home 

 alive will generally be a difficult matter, though it must 

 be done if possible. The smaller species should always 

 be boxed, and if the larger must be killed on the spot, 

 the cyanide bottle should be used, or else benzine or 



