1897J MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL 239 



A rod net commonly used, is represented by fig. 1, A, 

 and consists of two different parts, viz., the net (a) and 

 the rod or handle (b). 



The net hangs from a brass or iron circle, provided 

 with a small copper -tube, perforated on two opposite 

 sides. 



The rod or handle consists of three copper barrels, 

 which slide one into the other, each of which is 1 to Ij 

 metres in length. The upper barrel has on its end a 

 cover, from the centre of which a perforated clasp pro- 

 jects, which fits exactly in the copper-tube of the net 

 ring. Being able to lengthen and shorten this rod as 

 one pleases, we are relieved from the need of carrying 

 with us a pole or several shorter sticks. The clasp on 

 the end of the thinner rod and the tenon of the ring 

 enable us to fix the net easily, while a pin put through 

 the two holes prevents its slipping from the rod. 



Collecting with tliis apparatus is very simple. We 

 fasten the net to the rod by aid of the tenon and then 

 we pull out the sticks and begin to draw water as if we 

 were using a spoon. The water by this means is strained. 

 The greater proportion of the animals, and, if our net is 

 sufficiently fine, even the smallest organisms are retained. 



To bring liome the gathered material. — For this pur- 

 pose a collecting bowl or l)asiii of china, fig. 1, C, or 

 some other material, and having a large gullet, may be 

 used. Having filled this bowl with water before begin- 

 ning the operation the contents of the net are washed 

 out at intervals. At the close of collecting, strain the 

 whole contents of the bowl through the net and substitute 

 the water in the bowl with alcohol or any other preser- 

 vative liquid. 



The material thus prepared is finally poured into a 

 glass tube (fig. 1, B) to be closed by a cork. On a small 

 label note with a pencil the place of collecting, the so- 

 called habitat : the time of collecting, the month, day. 



