No. 39] 



ODONATA OF CONNECTICUT 



3' 



which in turn often become polHnose, due to waxy secretions. 

 Preserved specimens may also present a totally different appear- 

 ance from the freshly collected specimens, especially if means are 

 not taken to prevent discoloration. Such variations in the Odonata 

 should make one cautious about determinations, and he should base 

 them primarily upon structure wherever possible. 



Collecting and Preserving 



To collect adult dragonflies, a light and stout net should be avail- 

 able. Landing nets of convenient size are on the market, the 

 best of which consist of a handle of two sections and two flat 

 pieces of spring steel which fold together longitudinally and open 

 out to make the rim of the net. This net is about fourteen inches 



^ ft 



„ , Sliding ferrule 



1— ■ : I --1 



Fig. 8. Diagram of net for collecting nymphs designed by Mr. B. H. 

 Walden. 



in diameter with a handle two to four feet long according as one 

 or two sections are used. The bag itself should have a margin 

 of heavy cloth to fit over the rim, since most of the wear comes 

 at this point, and should be composed of good quality bobbinet or 

 bolting cloth. Bolting cloth makes a very satisfactory outfit. 

 Such a net should be about eighteen inches in length and should 

 taper gradually from mouth to tip. 



For collecting nymphs, a fixed, solid, semicircular rim is pre- 

 ferred to a jointed one such as the landing net just described. 

 This may be welded to a piece of two and one-fourth inch coupling 

 and a pole screwed into the pipe, or may be attached to the handle, 

 preferably a long one, by various means. A simple and easily con- 

 structed water net designed by Mr. B. H. Walden is shown in 

 Fig. 8. 



