INSTRUMENTS. 95 



The same net, or a lighter one of similar form, screwed 

 on a similar or the same stick, is called the sweeping 

 net, and is used for sweeping grass, on which my- 

 riads of minute insects are always to be found : the 

 weeds on the banks of rivers and canals are also 

 excessively productive in insects, which can only be 

 taken in this manner. In walking through meadows 

 it will be found a good plan to hold this net in such 

 a position that it may continually strike the project- 

 ing blades of grass. 



The entomologist should be provided with two wide- 

 mouthed vials ; one empty and perfectly dry, having 

 a quill passing through the cork, and going a consi- 

 derable way below it : this quill may be stopped at top by 

 a second small cork : within the vial some blotting-paper 

 may be kept, which not only absorbs any moisture, but 

 serves as something to crawl on for the living insects which 

 are taken from time to time and dropped through the quill. 

 The other vial should be made very strongly, well corked, 

 and three parts filled with spirit : common whisky is the 

 best spirit ; pure alcohol injures the colours of beetles, and 

 gin makes them sticky. 



A digger is another useful instrument : it is simply a 

 piece of round iron, about fifteen inches long, bent round 

 at one end, and furnished with a wooden handle at the 

 other. This serves to rip the bark off dead trees, and to 

 dig at the roots of living ones for chrysalides. 



Quills cut off close to the feather are very useful for 

 bringing home minute insects of all classes. The aperture 

 should be most carefully corked, the corks being cut ex- 

 pressly for the purpose, and should be of sufficient length 

 to go half an inch into the quill, and thus not liable to 

 come out in the pocket. 



Finally, pill-boxes, obtainable of any druggist, complete 



