COLLECTING INSECTS. 



59 



Staging. — This is a very convenient metiiod of dealing 

 with small insects, for which a very fine pin is used. The 

 insect is pinned in the usual way, and the pin is passed 

 through one end of a narrow strip of card, cork, or 

 pith, and a strong full-length pin through the other end 

 of the strip. In this way the smaller insects can be 

 kept at the same level as the larger ones, and there 

 is plenty of room on the longer pin for labels. A very 

 suitable material for staging is a fungus called Poli/jwrits^ 

 which is cut into strips and sold for the purpose by 

 dealers. 



r> Carding. — Small Coleoptera, Hemiptera, and some 

 other insects are most easily mounted by being gummed 

 = on card. The card should only be sufficiently large to 

 carry the specimen safely, with just room to take hold 

 of the pin without risk of touching the insect. But 

 a better way is to place the insect across a very narrow 

 strip of card. This, although not quite so safe, has the 

 advantage of allowing some of the under side of the 

 insect to be seen. The specimen should always be on 

 the left hand of the pin wijen the head is turned from 

 the operator. 



Habits. 



Notes on the habits of insects, nvimber of broods, whether 

 common or otherwise, if taken singly or paired, are always of 

 interest. 



Nests, cocoons, and galls are of very small value, unless ac- 

 companied by the insect which constructs or causes them. 



In collecting Termites, the kind of nest they were taken from 

 should be noted, or photographs of the nest taken. Termites' nests 

 with the specimens are much wanted. Specimens taken from one 

 nest should be kept together, either in a tube or tied in a muslin 

 bag. The same precaution should be taken with regard to the true 

 ants (Formicidce). 



