Preservation of insects. 



371 



to intercept insects on the wing, which are secured 

 by clapping the rods togetlier. A httle practice will 

 render this easy, except when there is much wind, 

 and in that case few insects fly. It is no less useful 

 for throwing- over insects when they alight on low 

 flowers, and in this way we have caught some very 

 fine butterflies and moths. 



Clap-net. 



An instrument still more used by collectors than 

 any of the preceding is the net-forceps, which may 

 be readily constructed out of an old pair of curling- 

 irons, such as have rings for the finger and thumb, 

 binding these with silk or cotton to prevent their 

 hurting the hand. To the blades of these, hoops 

 should be fitted, covered with fine gauze, and made 

 to close accurately when moved like a pair of scissors. 

 It requires some experience and dexterity to catch 

 nimble insects with these ; but it is indispensable for 

 a collector to acquire this skill. Without opening 

 them at all, the forceps may be used for securing an 

 insect when alighted on a wall, or other flat surface, 

 by merely covering it ; for which purpose some col- 

 lectors also use a ring-net. We are of opinion, 

 however, that it is more convenient to have few in- 

 struments, for multiplicity only serves to embarrass. 



