OF OBJECTS IN NATURAL HISTORY. 509 



INSECTS, Insects are found everywhere, and as the mode 

 of procuring specimens in their various localities is different, 

 it may be necessary to mention the several modes in which 

 they are procured. The apparatus necessary is, 1. a paste- 

 board or slight box about ten inches long, four wide, three deep, 

 and of an oval form, for carrying home the specimens, the larger 

 being affixed with pins to the bottom, the smaller to the lid, both 

 of which are lined with cork. 2. A net to catch butterflies 

 and other winged insects. This has the head, about ten inches 

 in diameter, formed of wire of an oval form, and fixed in a socket 

 affixed to a stick four feet long. Round the wire is attached a 

 bag of gauze from fifteen to eighteen inches long. This net is 

 used for catching butterflies, &c. in flight, on the ground, or on 

 flowers. When the insect is in the net it is turned, the butterfly 

 forced to the bottom, and the thorax passed between the fingers 

 without touching the wings. It will then easily drop out, and 

 is transfixed with a pin through the thorax and stuck into the 

 box. Another net of stronger consistence is used for fishing 

 aquatic insects in rivulets, ditches, and ponds. The net is 

 dipped into the water, to the bottom even in many cases, and 

 .into the mud, the month then turned to a side, and the bag pass- 

 ed quickly through the water several times to wash away the 

 mud. By use of this net, many species of aquatic Coleop- 

 tera are procured. Coleopterous insects are conveniently car- 

 ried home in a small bottle partly filled with spirits. 



To prepare butterflies a groove is made in a piece of soft 

 wood or cork the size of the body, and so deep, that the body 

 is received into the groove to the insertion of the wings. Being 

 pinned in this situation, the wings are then placed horizontally 

 by means of slips of card or paper fastened by pins ; and when 

 the specimen is dried it preserves the position thus given. 

 When insects have been dried in an improper position, they 

 are easily softened so as to make their members flexible, by 

 placing them on a piece of cork floated in water for a few 

 hours. 



The caterpillars of insects are sometimes preserved by press- 

 ing the skin after making an opening at the anus for the pas- 

 sage of the intestines. When empty, a pipe of straw is intro- 

 duced, and the specimen being held over a chafing dish till 



