4 



the insect pursued, the two slicks must be 

 brought quickly together, by which means the 

 prey is easily captured. This net answers very 

 effectively for taking even the minutest insect 

 on the wing, as it may in an instant be opened 

 and folded together. It is also useful for taking 

 winged insects when at rest upon the ground, 

 by simply spreading it over them. When beat- 

 ing into the net, it will be necessary to keep 

 both sticks in the left hand, at the same time 

 keeping the head of the net as wide open as 

 possible. An open umbrella will, in general, be 

 found convenient in the absence of a clap-net, 

 for beating -, particularly if the inside be lined 

 with white cotton, and made to cover the 

 whalebone. In the event of beating into an 

 umbrella, the forceps should always remain 

 within it, so as to be ready to be instantly 

 used in catching a winged insect. 



The Forceps, (plate, fig. 9.) is an indispensi- 

 ble instrument. It should be made of iron or 

 steel, and about seven inches and a half in 

 length, the hoops of brass, or iron, painted to 



