secure them from rust, about four inches in di- 

 ameter, and nearly circular^ the front part^ a^ be- 

 ing straight, in order to capture an insect settled 

 on a wall or tree. The joint of the handle 

 should be much nearer the rings for the finger 

 and thumb, than to the hoops, or tlie instru- 

 ment will not open well. An old pair of curl- 

 ing irons (Waving rings for the finger and 

 thumb) might be made into very good handles. 

 The hoops should be covered with fine gauze 

 or net ; the latter is best; as it will admit of the 

 head of a pin being drawn through it. They 

 are held and moved like a pair of scissors, and 

 are extremely useful in taking bees, wasps, and 

 other insects which inhabit sand banks, as well 

 as any other insect at rest. If an insect be on 

 a leaf, both leaf and insect must be inclosed in 

 the forceps, and if settled on a flat surface^ they 

 are easily entrapped. If the insect be a hutterflij, 

 moth, or bee, the underside of the thorax (that part 

 to which the wings and legs are attached) should 

 be sharply pressed j it may then be shaken into the 

 hand, and pierced, or a pin passed through the 

 thorax (as shewn plate, figs. 3 and 5.) while the 



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