376 



CHAPTER XI. 



HINTS ON COLLECTING, PEEPARATION, AND 

 MOUNTING. 



In giving a few hints to those ahoiit to make a start in the study of 

 forest entomology, perhaps it may he assumed that students can he 

 divided into two classes — viz., those who wish to study the subject 

 partially as a branch of scientific forestry, and those wlio are anxious 

 to follow it out thoroughly as a division of economic entomology. 

 It is just possible that both classes may at the commencement be 

 undecided how they will follow it up, and it will therefore be advis- 

 able to begin in as simple a way as possible. Perhaps it may be said 

 that one of the charms of the study of natural history is to spend 

 as little money, and develop a taste and skill for making as many of 

 the necessary requirements, as possible. Unfortunately, this idea is 

 seldom put in practice. 



As a walk through a forest in midsummer will appear to any one 

 not conversant with entomology simply a chaotic confusion of insect 

 life, it would be well for all aspiring students outside the guiding 

 influence of a college to join some local field club, or otherwise seek 

 the guidance of a local entomologist. Having done so, they may 

 begin to collect anything and everything within the forest, and solicit 

 the assistance of local naturalists for naming and classification. 



To all those who have not had the benefit of any special course of 

 systematic training, it may be said that in this study, as well as in 

 many others, it is advisable to cultivate a general broad acquaintance 

 with the whole subject of entomology. 



It is, of course, necessary to have a simple outfit of that class 

 generally recommended for boys about to begin the collection of 

 moths — viz., a net, chip-boxes, a pocket lens, two killing -bottles, — 



