INSTRUCTIONS FOR COLLECTING INSECTS. 159 



GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS. 



" Insects are so various in their habits that they may be found in 

 every part of the world^ at all seasons of the jear, and in every situa- 

 tion. 



As some localities are more congenial to their nature than others, I 

 shall mention such as will be likely to furnish the best result to the 

 Entomologist : 



Woods, Hedges, and Lanes. — These situations furnish by far the 

 greatest number of insects. In woods the Entomologist must beat the 

 branches of trees into his umbrella, or folding net, and must select 

 for this purpose open paths, the edges, &c. The trunks of trees, 

 gates, and felled timber, should be carefully examined, as many of 

 the Lepidoptera and Coleoptera are found in no other situations. 

 Many rare and very beautiful insects are found in the hedges, in 

 lanes, as also in the nettles, &c,, which grow under them ; these should 

 be well beaten, especially when the white thorn is in blossom, in the 

 months of May and June. Hedges in dusty roads are seldom pro- 

 ductive. 



Heaths and Commons. — Many insects are coniined to these situa- 

 tions, not only on account of plants, which grow in such situations, 

 but by the cattle and their dung, in the latter of which many thou- 

 sands of insects may be found — mostly in the months of May, June, 

 and July ; these are principally Coleoptera. 



Sand-Fits. — In such places will be found many minute Coleop- 

 terous insects, as well as wasps, &c.; the roots of grass, at which the 

 former are found, should be closely examined. 



Meadoivs, Marshes, a7id Ponds. — In meadows when the Butter- 

 cups (Ranunculi) are in blossom, many Dipterous and Hymenopterous 

 insects are found. The drills in marshes should be examined, as many 

 species of insects are found on the long grass, as also the larva? of 

 many Lepidoptera. Neuroptera are abundant in such situations, espe- 

 cially if any hedges or trees are near the spot. 



The mud which is brought up from the bottom of ponds should 

 be thoroughly examined, and such small insects as are found may be 

 put in a small bottle filled with water, which will not only clean them 

 iDut keep them alive. To the Entomologist this mode of collecting 

 will be very advantageous, as he will thereby obtain many species of 

 Dysticidie, Notonectidti?, &c. 



31oss, Decayed Trees, Hoots of Grass, &c. — Many insects will be 

 found in moss and under it ; the roots of decayed trees afford nourish- 

 ment and a habitation to a number of insects ; many of the larva3 of 

 Lepidoptera penetrate the trunks of trees ; most of the Cerambycida) 

 feed on wood, as well as some species of Elaters, &c. In seeking for 

 these a sharp digging instrument is generally used, as it is sometimes 

 necessary to dig six or seven inches into the wood before they are found. 



