46 



INSECT LIFE. 



is easily injured, it is necessary to make a special 

 study of the methods of collecting these insects ; for 

 if the specimens are not handled properly, they will 

 be of very little use for study. We will first study 

 the collecting of butterflies. 



1. For collecting butterflies an insect net and a 

 collecting box are necessary. The pupils doubtless 

 have insect nets before this lesson is reached ; the 

 collecting boxes can be made of empty cigar boxes, 

 as described on page 287. 



2. In addition to the net and collecting box a 

 bottle of chloroform with a brush fitted into the cork 

 (Fig. 21) is very desirable, although not absolutely 

 necessary. 



3. It is seldom best to attempt to run down a 

 butterfly and catch it on the wing. Fol- 

 low the insect quietly until it alights, and 

 catch it while at rest. 



4. The removal of the insect from the 

 net should be done with very great care, 

 for here lies the greatest danger of injury 

 to the specimen. 

 Fig. 21. ^^ ^^^ butterfly is a small one, it can 



be taken from the net by placing the mouth 

 of an open cyanide bottle over it ; in this way touch- 

 ing the specimen with the fingers is avoided. 



If the specimen is too large for this, the net 

 should be held in such a way that the insect can not 

 flutter and thus injure its wings. Try to have it 

 come to rest with its wings folded over its back, for 

 the lower side of the wings are not so easily injured as 

 is the upper side. Then take the fold of the net con- 

 taining the butterfly between the thumb and finger 



