THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF INSECTS. 87 



will, after taking a few turns, in all probability return, 

 and it is sometimes worth while waiting ten minutes 

 on the chance of his doing so. The beautiful and 

 delicate network of veins on a dragonfly's wings forms 

 a difficult subject to render photographically. Much 

 depends on the nature of lighting both in front and 

 behind the sitter, and it is very seldom that one can 

 secure the four wings equally well illuminated at once. 

 As a general rule, it will be found that the wings on one 

 side are all that can be desired, while those on the 

 other, owing to their being ^ - r 

 at a different angle with 

 the camera and conse- 

 quently under different 

 conditions of lighting, 

 are practically invisible. 



Some of the hemip- 

 tera are interesting and 

 of a reasonable size the 



Stagbeetle. 



water-scorpion, for in- 

 stance. The latter, of course, must be taken in water, 

 and will sit steadily, but, owing to his dull colouring, 

 is difficult to make a satisfactory picture of. 



The best methods of capturing beetles have 

 already been referred to. In using the sweepnet, repre- 

 sentatives of all the insect orders will probably be met 

 with in the course of a morning's walk. As a general 

 rule, the thicker the vegetation the greater chance of 

 things creeping innumerable. 



If photography is not to be done in the field the 



