TDEIK CLASSIFICATION AND COLLECTION. 33 



very various structure being included in it. Many of the species 

 are exceedingly minute, and with the exception of the " lady- 

 birds " (Coccinel/a), are quite unknown to casual observers. There 

 ai'c, however, over 170 species included in this section. 



The genus CocclneUa contains eighteen or nineteen species, some 

 of which, like the common lady-bird (C. septempmictata), hardly 

 vary at all ; while others, C. hipunctata, variabilis, occellata, and 

 hieroghjpliica, vary in the most extraordinary way. 



Having now given an outline of the various sections into which 

 our indigenous Coleoptera are generally divided, it only remains 

 for me to add a few notes as to their collection. 



The Geodephaga require searching for as a rule ; they hide, 

 sometimes underground, more often under stones or bits of wood, 

 and in fact to collect them successfully it is necessary to know 

 something of the habits of the particular species you are in search of. 



The Hijdradepliaga must be fished for with a water-net. Some 

 inhabit ponds, some running streams, while others are only to be 

 found in brackish water. 



The Brachehjtra must be sought for in various places. Some 

 feed on carrion and must be looked for on and under dead animals ; 

 others will be found in dung ; others in fungi in the autumn ; and 

 many can be caught flying in the hot sunshine. 



All the members of these three sections, as well as the Malaco- 

 dermi, should be put as soon as caught into a bottle full of young- 

 laurel- leaves, which have been picked when quite dry, and then 

 pounded and cut up into small pieces. Beetles so killed are very 

 stiff at first, and require to be kept in laurel for two or three days, 

 when they become relaxed and fit for setting. 



The other sections are best caught either by beating or sweeping. 

 In beating, an umbrella opened and held under the herbage or tree 

 to be beaten is as good an implement as I know ; the foliage should 

 be beaten with a stick, taking care to strike downwards, and the 

 beetles will fall off into the umbrella, and can then be easily bottled. 



A sweeping-net is made of some strong material, canvas or calico, 

 and is swept about amongst the herbage with a backwards and 

 forwards motion. 



Beetles simply bottled should be killed by immersion in quite 

 boiling water ; this kills them instantly, and they are at once 

 ready for setting. Those that cannot be set at once should be kept 

 in the laurel-bottle, which will keep them relaxed for some time. 



The best collectors are those who, knowing the habits of the 

 insects they are in search of, turn that knowledge to account, and 

 examine likely spots. If you are seeking Geodephaga or Brache- 

 lytra it is good advice to search under stones, and to "leave no 

 stone unturned'' — an expression that I have often thought must 

 have originated in beetle-collecting — but even in this matter 

 experience is a great help. For instance, stones lying on grass 

 have hardly ever insects under them, and it will be found that 

 those stones harbour most specimens that have laid on the ground 



