94 COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF INSECTS. 



time. A loose bag is formed, by a fold of the muslin, 

 across the bottom of the net, e ; this prevents any thing 

 from getting out. The same net is held in one hand under 

 the boughs of trees, &c., while these are beat by the stick 

 of the water-net held in the other hand ; and thus, besides 

 perfect insects, a great number of caterpillars may be 

 obtained. 



The other nets used by entomologists are of many kinds ; 

 these two are the best : first, the forceps, with handles like 

 those of scissors, with holes for the finger 

 and thumb, and two circular or octagonal 

 frames of iron, on which muslin or cheese 

 cloth is stretched. This instrument is par- 

 ticularly useful for taking the Diptera and 

 Hymenoptera, which settle on umbelliferous 

 flowers. The forceps should be kept in the 

 right hip pocket of the coat, to afford a greater facility in 

 taking them out when wanted to be used with celerity : but 

 it must be borne in mind that this weapon is never to be 

 trusted when insects are on the wing ; because its size is 

 so small that the object at which you snap is beyond your 

 reach before the forceps can close, however correct your 

 aim : and a repetition of the snap is seldom attended with 

 better success. 



The second net is the water-net. It is 

 composed of a strong hoop of iron, jointed 

 so as to fold up in a convenient form; on 

 this hoop is fastened a strong bag net, made 

 of cheese cloth ; the hoop has a male screw 

 which fits a female screw at the end of a 

 stout stick, about four feet in length. With 

 this instrument all water insects are taken ; 

 the water straining off through the net, and 

 the insects remaining at the bottom : the manner in which 

 it is used is shown at the end of this chapter. 



