PRESERVING OF COLEOPTERA. 1Q:3 



vest a hundred yards from his own door than by taking a 

 "return ticket" (which involves, moreover, the loss of 

 time) for a hundred miles into the country — perchance into 

 some cold clayey region where his exertions will prove com- 

 paratively fruitless. 



Let the moss be carefully examined (for the minuter 

 tribes), wherever it can be procured, though more especially 

 from off the trunks of trees. The best plan in the winter 

 months is to shake it over a large bag, the contents of which 

 may be gradually turned out, on a sheet of white paper, at 

 home; and if overhauled in front of a window, nothing will 

 be lost, as those species which escape will almost invariably 

 fly or run to the light, and may be immediately secured from 

 off' the glass. 



The fungi in woods, and agarics from off the trunks of 

 trees, must never be neglected, as they occasionally teem 

 with life — though more often of the smaller than the larger 

 kind — and where they are observed to be full of a species 

 which is usually rare, it is better to bring away a portion of 

 the substance itself, aud leave the remainder for another day, 

 than to destroy the whole by endeavouring to procure in situ 

 all the specimens which it contains. 



Dead animals, partially-dried bones, as well as the skins 

 of moles and other vermin which are ordinarily hung up in 

 fields, are magnificent traps for Coleoptera ; and if any of 

 these be placed around orchards and enclosures near at 

 home, and be examined every morning, various species of 

 Nitidulce, Silphidce, and other insects of similar habits, are 

 certain to be enticed and captured. 



Planks and chippings of wood may be likewise employed 

 as successful agents in alluring a vast number of species which 

 might otherwise escape our notice, and if these be laid down in 

 grassy places, and carefully inverted every now and then with 

 as little violence as possible, many insects will be found adher- 



