32 BRITISH BEETLES. 



out and carried in the pocket or bag. The net itself 

 (and also the beating-net) should be made of stout 

 " Irish/' or sheeting, or the canvas-like material used for 

 " crinoline," and be sufficiently long to avoid the un- 

 pleasantness of turning inside out, with its contents, 

 when trailed along the ground. 



A water net, larger than the sweeping- net, of much 

 stouter wire, and with a flat front for scraping close 

 along the bottoms and sides of ponds, etc. This may 

 be fastened to the stick as above described, and should 

 be made of very strong " sampler canvas." The friction 

 is so great, and decay is so much assisted by the water, 

 that it is a good plan to sew, or otherwise fasten, the net 

 to a thin wire of the same size as the stout frame, and 

 attach it to the latter on its lower edge with rings of 

 wire. The stick used should be both long and very 

 strong. 



A stick to beat with, which can be cut out of any 

 hedge when the hunting-ground is reached. 



A strong knife, with blade fixed to the handle, and 

 carried in a sheath, for cutting tufts of grass, etc. 



A very stout steel ' ' pick ;" or, if that cannot be got, 

 a long and strong chisel for ripping off bark and pene- 

 trating wood. If the collector really meditate doing 

 any good with wood-feeding beetles, no weapon of at- 

 tack is too large or strong. 



A sheet or two of stout brown paper, upon which tufts, 

 etc., can be shaken. 



A square piece of mackintosh or India-rubber cloth, 

 to kneel upon when working in wet places. 



A collecting bottle or two of stout clear glass, with 

 no internal bottom elevation, and wide-mouthed. If 

 one side be pasted over with paper, it considerably 



