PRESERVING OF COLEOPTERA. 105 



As for those spots in which the art of brushing comes into 

 play but little need be said, the sweeping-net being almost 

 universal in its operation, and consequently attaining its 

 maximum of usefulness wherever vegetation is the most 

 rampant; and this brings us to the second portion of our 

 subject, namely, the consideration of 



The Instrumenta belli of the Coleopterist. 



A sweeping-net is the first thing to be obtained. They are 

 well known to all collectors, and those manufactured by Mr. 

 Downie ' v usually to be purchased in London) are the best. 

 Not less than two wide-mouthed bottles (with a quill through 

 each cork, and some blotting-paper within for the insects to 

 adhere to) must be taken, in addition to a few tin boxes (or 

 tubes) for the reception of the larger species, and to hold (if 

 required) portions of fungi or larvae. If it be thought 

 desirable, a laurel leaf may be cut into each bottle, which will 

 kill the inmates in a short time, and at once so stupify them 

 as to prevent the possibility of civil war, inter se ; whilst it 

 will preserve them in a sufficiently relaxed state to be after- 

 wards set out. This, however, should not be entirely trusted 

 to as a means of destruction, and it will be advisable to dip 

 each bottle for a few minutes into boiling water after return- 

 ing home; for the insects which have been captured late in 

 the day, and which happen to be tenacious of life, will be 

 often so far overpowered as to appear dead ; but after being 

 expanded, on this hypothesis, they will be found in a fort- 

 night's time waving their antennae to and fro over the cards 

 to which they have been carefully and tightly gummed 

 down. 



A few quills, closed with small corks, may be put into the 

 waistcoat pocket; for, whilst by no means necessary, it may 

 be sometimes satisfactory to keep captures of an extremely 

 rare nature (should the collector be fortunate enough to meet 



f5 



