COLLECTING IKSECTS. 5 



rotten wood, in decaying animal and vegetable matter, nnder stones, 

 under fallen leaves (where there is moisture), at the roots of grass 

 and trees, in ants' nests, in ponds and streams. When circumstances 

 permit, and small insects are being sought for in dead leaves, etc., the 

 leaves should be sifted over a sheet of paper. If the insects appear 

 numerous, the siftings should be pat into a holland bag, and examined 

 at home. Many small insects which would be overlooked out of 

 doors may be found in this way. Many insects are obtained by 

 sweeping herbage with a net ; others by beating trees while a large 

 net or umbrella is held beneath. 



Ground beetles may often be caught by putting a piece of meat or 

 bone in a pickle-bottle, and burying it so that the mouth is just on a 

 level with the ground. 



Moths, some beetles, and other nocturnal insects are obtained by 

 painting patches of sugar on the trunks of trees, and looking for 

 them with a lantern after dark. The mixture used should be made 

 with brown sugar, beer, and a little rum. Apples cut into quarters, 

 smeared with sugar and hung up, also attract moths. 



Moths may also be caught by hanging up a sheet with a lantern 

 behind it. They are attracted by the light, and, settling on the sheet, 

 may be picked off with glass-bottom boxes or with the killing-bottle. 



Some beetles and other insects may be obtained by hanging up 

 skins of animals, or the carcases of small mammals or birds. 

 Strangely enough, some butterflies are attracted in this way, as well 

 as by strong cheese. 



Killing. 



Most insects can be easily killed by putting them into the cyanide- 

 bottle ; but care must be taken to see that the sides of the bottle and 

 surface of the cyanide are not wet, as the more delicate insects are 

 apt to stick to the surface and get spoiled. To prevent this when 

 collecting, the upper space may be partly filled with crumpled pieces 

 of blotting-paper, among which the insects may bury themselves. 

 This also prevents them rolling about and injuring one another. 

 Under no circumstances should the specimens be left in the cyanide 

 a moment longer than necessary. Cyanide changes the colour of 

 some insects, green becoming yellow, yellow becoming red. 



