APPENDIX 

 COLLECTING AND REARING INSECTS 



The simpler the equipment the better for the begimiing collector of 

 insects. A net, collecting-bottle, box for pinning specimens, papers for 

 "papered" ones, a few empty vials and pill-boxes, and a few vials contain- 

 ing 85 per cent, alcohol — this is outfit enough for general work. For special 

 visits to ponds and brooks, a water- or drcdging-net, and a jar or tin pail for 

 carr)'ing home living specimens, are needed. A large-bladed jack-knife 

 for digging and prying under stones, cutting into logs and stumps, and split- 

 ting canes and galls is always useful. A pair of forceps, for handling sting- 

 ing specimens, and very small or delicate ones, is convenient. 



The net (Fig. 799) should be of some strong non-tearing cloth netting— 

 bobinet is excellent — 12 to 14 inches in diam- 

 eter at the mouth and about 24 inches deep, 

 tapering to a rounded bottom about 4 to 6 inches 

 in diameter. The handle should be light and 

 about 3i feet long. The wire ring supporting 

 the net should be strong — No. 3 galvanized iron 



Fig. 799. Fig. Soo. 



Fig. 799. — Collectinp-net. (After Packard.) 



Fig. 800. — Insect-killing bottle; cyanide of potassium at bottom covered with plaster of 

 Paris. (After Jenkins and Kellogg.) 



wire is good — and firmly fixed in the handle. For a water-net the meshes 

 should be coarse and the handle, wire, and netting all extra strong. 



The killing-bottle (Fig. 800) is prepared by putting a few small lumps 

 (about a teaspoonful) of cyanide of potassium into the bottom of a wide- 



656 



