56 THE NATURALIST'S GUIDE. 



alcohol; and as the collector will meet with specimens- 

 everywhere, he should never be without a phial ready for 

 instant use. During spring and early summer thousands 

 of minute species may be captured in the air with the 

 net, especially just at night. During summer and autumn 

 a great many nocturnal species may be captured near a 

 light placed at an open window, or in the open air. Vari- 

 ous species may be found feeding upon plants during the 

 summer and autumn. A great many of the so-called car- 

 rion-beetles may be taken, during the same seasons, by ex- 

 posing the carcass of an animal. Some species inhabit 

 decayed wood, where diligent search should be made for 

 them, especially in the woods, under old stumps or in them. 

 Numbers of very beautiful beetles may be found in the 

 excrements of animals, and under them, also under stones 

 and logs of wood ; they are found beneath the bark of trees 

 and on sandy places, or in dusty roads. There are also a. 

 few aquatic species to be found in the water or near it. 



To mount large beetles, force the pin through the right 

 wing-covert near the thorax, and place the point in the 

 cork, with the beetle's feet resting on it; place the feet 

 in the attitude of life, with the antennae in the proper 

 position, with a pin on each side of them to keep them 

 in place until dry. If the wings are to be extended, 

 place the beetle on the pin as described; then, with an 

 awl, bore a hole in the pine board ; lay the insect upon 

 its back, with the head of the pin in the hole ; now open 

 the wing-coverts, and spread the wings ; over the latter 

 lay a piece of card-board, and fasten it by placing pins 

 through it into the wood on each side. The wing-cov- 

 erts should not be fastened with a card, as it will flatten 

 them. "When dry, remove the card, and the wings will 

 retain their position, when the beetle can be put in the 

 proper position in the insect-box. 



Smaller beetles, less than an eighth of an inch long,. 



