56 Lessons in Nature Study. 



used for the shipment of honey are very good." But the 

 most approved device of this kind is made by taking com- 

 mon inch boards from six to eight inches wide, and making 

 a box as in Fig. 10. This box should be just long enough 

 to sit upon the window-sill. The bottom and sides consist 

 of board. The ends, also of board, should extend up to 

 eighteen or twenty-four inches above the sides, and plates of 

 glass should fit in as in an aquarium. A fine wire-gauze top 

 should be put on. This prevents the escape of insects and 

 permits a free circulation of air. 



Having completed the "observation box," fasten it se- 

 curely to the window-sill, and then begin to populate it. 

 Every insect caught should be given its own proper food. 

 This is easily done when the collector is careful to bring in 

 a spray of the plant on which it is found. Place the spray 

 in a bottle of water, and set the bottle down in the box. 

 Fresh sprays must be supplied as the old ones wither. 

 Water larvae may be placed in dishes of water and also set 

 into the box, where their changes may be watched with 

 interest. Grubs dug from the earth may be placed in soil 

 in a can, or the whole box may be filled with mould for their 

 benefit. Thus every condition light, darkness, air, water, 

 etc. can be supplied for the study of these creatures. 



Having placed your " observation box " on the window- 

 sill, and having peopled it with whatever is most convenient, 

 begin a series of systematic observations on one or more of 

 the inhabitants of the box. A good way is to assign some 

 one insect to each pupil, or let two or three pupils observe 

 one. Let them report each day what has happened. 



HINTS AS TO THE ORDER OF WORK. 



Each pupil will have a notebook, and proceed to : 



1. Draw the insect in different positions. 



2. Draw the insect in different parts viz., head, tail, legs, 

 etc. 



3. Note his food. 



