56 



rubbish, and dung, must be turned over, and 

 the banks scraped down with the digger. The 

 banks of pits and ponds should be trod or dug 

 down, and the loose earth examined^ if the earth 

 and tufts of grass be thrown into the water, 

 the insects will be easily discovered on the sur- 

 face. On the approach of Winter, many insects 

 choose these places for their torpid abode j and 

 in Summer, in the middle of the day, to escape 

 the heat. Another method is, to stamp with the 

 feet, for a few minutes, by the sides of ponds, 

 and ditches, and in boggy ground, when beetles 

 will often make their appearance, particularly 

 in Summer. Many insects may also be taken in 

 the Spring and Summer, by examining the roots 

 of grass, while resting from more laborious ex- 

 ertion. It maybe stated, that light and sandy 

 soils furnish the most, and clay the fewest in- 

 sects. 



Stagxant Ponds, running streams, and their 

 banks, have each their peculiar insects. 



