Instructions for collecting Insects. 215 



2. The rackets may be compared to the pinchers used by sur- 

 geons, or to scissors, each half of which should be terminated by a 

 rhomb covered with gauze, drawn tight over it, so that on shutting 

 the pinchers, the two rhombs may perfectly fit each other. 



This instrument, the most useful for the taking of insects, is that, 

 which requires the greatest address. It is only by long continued 

 practice that one acquires the habit of using it with success. An 

 unskilful collector will often tear the gauze, and oftener still miss the 

 insect, that he wishes to take, though it should be at rest. But if the 

 rackets have this inconvenience at first, they will, when one has 

 learned to handle them skilfully, have great advantages over the net. 

 First, a butterfly taken in the rackets will never be injured, since, on 

 being pressed between the two pieces of gauze, it cannot struggle. 

 Secondly, the pursuer, by means of them, will have nothing to fear 

 from certain insects, such as wasps, bees and hornets, from which he 

 could not avoid very painful stings, should he venture to seize them 

 with his fingers. 



3. The umbrella, (or, for want of it, a cloth,) is used in the fol- 

 lowing manner. On being held under trees, shrubs or bushy plants, 

 and striking with a stick the branches, that are over it, all the insects, 

 that are on the branches, fall into the umbrella. One may find, by 

 this means, many species, which, flying only by night, remain con- 

 cealed during the day. 



4. The trowel, which is perfectly similar to those used by brick- 

 layers, serves for digging at the roots of trees, for lifting up their 

 bark, and for searching in rubbish. One may find, in this way, 

 many of the coleopterous insects and of the chrysalides. 



5. The bownet is made like the net before mentioned, except that 

 the iron wire, instead of being bent into a circle, should have the 

 form of a shovel, the right side of which should be opposite to the 

 socket. The net, with which the wire is furnished, should be of 

 horse hair or canvas, and six inches in length. 



In collecting with the bownet, one should pass it among die 

 aquatic plants, lifting up those, that are at the surface of the water. 

 The water runs off, and among the plants, that remain in the net, 

 there are often found many insects. 



6. The tin box should have the form of a large snuff box. la 

 the center of the cover should be a hole, large enough to admit an 

 insect of middling size ; (a melolontha or May bug, for instance.) 

 This hole may be opened or shut at pleasure, by means of a little 



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