DIRECTIONS FOR COLLECTING AND 

 PRESERVING INSECTS. 



GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS. 



INSECTS differ sexually in that the female often appears to 

 have one abdominal ring less (one ring disappearing during the 

 semi-pupa state, when the ovipositor is formed) , and in being 

 larger, fuller, and duller colored than the males, while the lat- 

 ter often differ in sculpture and ornamentation. In collecting, 

 whenever the two sexes are found united they should be pinned 

 upon the same pin, the male being placed highest. When we 

 take one sex alone we may feel sure that the other is some- 

 where in the vicinity ; perhaps while one is flying about so as 

 to be easily captured the other is hidden under some leaf, or 

 resting on the trunk of some tree near by, which must be ex- 

 amined and every bush in the vicinity vigorously beaten by the 

 net. Many species rare in most places have a metropolis where 

 they occur in great abundance. During seasons when his 

 favorites are especially abundant, the collector should lay up 

 a store against years of scarcity. 



At no time of the year need the entomologist rest from his 

 labors. In the winter, under the bark of trees and in moss, he 

 can find many species, or detect their eggs on trees, etc., which 

 he can mark for observation in the spring when they hatch out. 



He need not relax his endeavors day or night. Mothing is 

 night employment. Skunks and toads entomologize at night. 

 Early in the morning, at sunrise, when the dew is still on the 

 loaves, insects are sluggish and easily taken with the hand ; 

 so at dusk, when many species are found flying ; and in the 

 night, the collector will be rewarded with many rarities, some 



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