Collecting Insects. 3 



by sweeping the net along over the top of the grass and over the 

 tops of bushes, even where no insects are seen. 



3 . Boxes. The collector should also carry an extra bottle or a box 

 or two, into which insects may be put after they have been killed. 

 This makes room for new insects in the cyanide bottle, and keeps 

 them better, as the newly introduced specimens sometimes strug- 

 gle and may injure other specimens. Baking-powder cans and 

 cocoa boxes are very convenient. A shallow cigar box is good 

 for butterflies, as they may be pinned to the bottom so they will 

 not slip about and be injured. 



4. Shell Bag. For carrying the above apparatus, the most con- 

 venient thing is what is known as a shell bag. It is of strong 

 canvas, and provided with a good shoulder strap. Ordinary 

 pockets do not serve well for all the needed material. While the 

 net is in use, the bottle and the boxes may all be safely held in 

 the bag and out of the way of the arms and hands. The common 

 "schoolbook bag" may be used, but they are often very weak, 

 and likely to give way when one is forcing his way through weeds 

 and bushes, and may be lost without being noticed. A good 

 shell bag will last almost a lifetime for this work. 



General Suggestions on Collecting. For most insects the best 

 time is in the middle part of a bright, warm day, for insects are 

 most active in warm weather. But one should not neglect col- 

 lecting on dark or cold days. At such times one may learn where 

 insects hide. Not only the places where insects hide, but their 

 colors and positions should be carefully noted, as these help to 

 conceal them. Turn over boards, stones, and pieces of bark ; 

 pry off pieces of loose bark from logs and stumps ; kick to pieces 

 rotten stumps ; and look into the crevices in fences, and about 

 porches, etc., for insects in hiding. Careful work will secure many 

 specimens on days when almost no insects are seen moving, and 

 when the casual observer would say that there are none to be 

 found. Butterflies are well kept in a fold of paper as follows : 

 Take a piece of paper two inches longer than wide ; three and a 

 half by five and a half inches is large enough for most specimens. 



