CHAPTER III. 



COLLECTING AND PRESERVING INSECTS FOR THE 

 CABINET. 



Beetles^ or Coleoptera. — If Beetles are put into alco- 

 hol, they should not remain in it long, but should be 

 either jjinned or packed carefully into cotton-wool, 

 when they may be transported in this way. 



I have given general directions for collecting Bee- 

 tles, but will now mention each family in detail. 



CiciNDELiD^,T/_^er Beetles, are found in dusty roads, 

 on sand-beaches, in rocky pastures, — in fact I have 

 collected them in nearly all places which were devoid 

 of vegetation, from the rocks of Grand Menan, to 

 the barren salt-marshes of Florida. They are very 

 agile insects, but may be caught in nets quite readily. 

 The larvse live in holes, in sections inhabited by the 

 Beetles. They should be preserved in alcohol. 



OARABiDiE, Ground Beetles. — This is a very large 

 family. They are found upon the ground, under 

 stones, chips, and other debris. I have also found 

 some species washed ashore by the sea, often in great 

 numbers. I have taken many of the species of the 

 genius LeUa from the flowers of the Golden Rod. All 

 these Beetles prey upon other insects, or feed upon 

 dead animal matter. The larvae are found in similar 

 situations with the adults. 



AMPiiizoiDiE. — IsL a subaquatic family, and is re- 

 stricted, in its distribution, to California. 



DyiisciDiE, Diving -Beetles, are found very common 

 186 



