104 INSTRUCTIONS IN COLLECTING 



Tachytes and Astata, are truly lovers of sunshine ; and are 

 to be found only, when the heat of the sun is so great that 

 bees retreat to shady spots, or retire to their burrows until 

 the heat of midday is past ; many of the species are difficult 

 to secure, their flight is a dart, and nothing hut practice, a 

 quick eye, and a steady hand, can make sure of them. When 

 your hunting-ground is not at too great a distance, walk to 

 it; much may frequently be picked up by the way ; it also 

 obviates a very tormenting uncertainty, sure to befall the 

 railway traveller on the way to his field of action ; railway 

 banks are frequently covered with flowers, and as surely 

 thev are frequented by insects : who has not caught sight of 

 magnificent new species as he was whisked along in the 

 train — without the possibility of clearing up the uncertainty 

 by stopping a moment to capture the treasure? but let every 

 one thank his stars that he lives in railway times, when the 

 New Forest is to be reached, from London, by the time one 

 can raise one's eyes from the attractive pages of a single 

 number of " The Newcomes." 



With these few hints as to the time when, and the place 

 where, certain genera are to be found, I must hasten to give a 

 few words of advice, how to capture Hymenopterous insects, 

 and how to prepare them for cabinet specimens. The only 

 net really necessary is a bag-net, sugar-loaf shaped, made of 

 fine white net, green gauze is frequently used, I have long 

 discarded it— many of the rare minute black species are sure 

 to be lost by the use of it ; in a white net nothing escapes 

 the eye, therefore never use a green one. The net should 

 be attached to an iron folding-ring, such as is used for a 

 landing-net ; the thinner the better, that is to say, have it 

 filed down between the joints to give it lightness ; Messrs. 

 Downie and Foxcroft both know how to make them ; never 

 have a net of this kind fixed to the stick or handle by a 

 screw j if you do, depend upon it, it will twist round pre- 



