70 
PECULIAR METHODS OF 
insects swimming on the surface : many may 
be collected this way, which from their quick 
movements escape observation, in the ordinary 
mode of collecting. The same remark applies 
to dead animals. Pieces of board, laid on 
dung heaps or cucumber beds, in the months of 
June and July, will attract small beetles, {Pse- 
laphidcB,) which will be found to adhere to the 
underside of the board. A white sheet laid on 
the ground on a hot summer’s day, will also 
attract many insects, particularly if a plate 
containing a little jam and water be put on it. 
Old Trees, dead fences, and felled timber, 
should always be carefully examined. From 
the little round holes many beetles and bees 
may often be obtained, by inserting a stem of 
grass, or straw, and probing the holes to the 
bottom. Tobacco smoke blown into the 
holes, will also quickly bring them out. The 
forceps must always be kept close to the hole 
to catch the insect as soon as it appears. New 
oak pales attract many insects. Hedge-stakes, 
perforated with holes, should be carefully split, 
as they harbour small beetles and other insects. 
The holes bored in fruit trees in gardens should 
be smoked, or if they contain larvce if a piece 
of gauze be tied round or fastened to the tree. 
