434 PRESERVATION OF INSECTS. 



which we have foinid exceedingly useful for taking beetles 

 and other insects out of holes where they cannot be other- 

 wise easily reached. The instrument is made of steel, and 

 resembles a pair of large scissors. In some, the handle- 

 rings %rQ like those of scissors, on a line with the blades ; 

 in others, they are at right angles to these. The pliers 

 used by our collectors are much inferior in utility, being 

 too small, short, and slender. The French instrument is 

 farther useful for seizing venomous or dangerous insects. 

 In other cases the fingers alone are often sufficient, and for 

 minute beetles a wetted finger. 



In order to get at beetles and larvae which feed under the 

 bark, or in the wood of trees, and also under ground, the 

 instrument which we have found most convenient is a very 

 strong clasp-knife : one which has a saw-blade, a hook, a 

 file, and other instruments in the same handle, is pre- 

 ferable ; but most of the London collectors use what is 

 called a digger, and first, if we mistake not, described by 

 Mr. Samouelle, in his Compendium. It is made of steel, 

 of from twelve to eighteen inches long, forked at the 

 extremity, and fixed into a wooden handle. 



In addition to this, we recommend a long slip of very 

 thin and narrow whalebone, which ma}^ be introduced into 

 the holes of such insects as burrow in the earth or sand, to 

 direct us in digging down to their nests, the hole being 

 certain to be filled up, and probably lost, without such a 

 contrivance. When a piece of whalebone is not at hand, a 

 long straw will form a good substitute. 



When insects are caught merely for the cabinet, and not 

 with reference to their habits and economy, colleciors 

 provide themselves with a quill-barrel, sealed at one end 

 with wax, and having a cork stopper at the other, for very 

 minute specimens ; with a wide-mouthed phial, containing 



