INTRODUCTION. 15 



most useful weapon. It is easy enough to catcli those 

 species which visit flowers, and settle on them ; but such 

 insects as the Pompilidai require most careful stalkiug, as 

 they run and jump and fly most rapidly when frightened. 

 The best way to get them when on the ground is to put 

 the net over them suddenly, hitting the ground pretty hard 

 with the ring. This will often make them jump upwards, 

 and then with one's hands one can grasp the net above the 

 ring ; otherwise they will keep on the ground and run out 

 under the ring, or else lie quite still till one raises the net 

 to look aud then fly off. la killing the Hymenopfera, as 

 in the Hemiptera, it is essential not to wet their wings. 

 I always use an ordinary collecting bottle and cyanide, 

 with paper so arranged that the bees do not touch the 

 dampness. This makes the wings stiff, but if any one wishes 

 to set his captures with the wings extended, they cau 

 easily be relaxed with laurel leaves. 



I find the best way to prepare specimens for examination 

 is to mount them across very short narrow strips of card. 

 Of course, the very largo ones must be pinned, but the pins 

 are very apt to corrode. Care should be taken to extract 

 the S armature, which can easily be done with a setting 

 needle. Sandy localities are usually the most promising 

 for Aculeates, but other districts also have their specialities. 

 In the early spring months, say the middle or end of March, 

 the first Aculeates generally appear, humble bees and wasps 

 showing first. The Andrenas then commence, and frequent 

 chiefly the blossoms of Sallx ; after SuIm is out of flower, 

 dandelions and other yellow composite plants are always 

 favourites. As the summer approaches most flowers are 

 attractive, but especially thistles, composites, bryony, black- 

 berry, Poteiitilla, clover. Some species confine themselves 

 to one special flower; others seem to be indifferent in these 

 matters. The long-tongued bees, however, except the 

 social species, which visit almost any plant, as a rule 

 frequent tubular flouers. The best months for the 7'\)x- 

 norinl llijmi iiopii ra are July and August; alter the 



