28 COMMON BRITISH INSECTS. 



vapour is inhaled, it penetrates simultaneously the 

 entire system, and causes almost instantaneous death. 

 It will be as well for the beginner to use the laurel- 

 bottle for all Beetles, as it does not damage them, and 

 he need not trouble himself to distinguish the vora- 

 cious from the harmless species. 



There is only one drawback to the laurel-bottle y 

 and this is more apparent than real. It stiffens the 

 limbs at first, so that the insects cannot be ' set ' 

 properly, and the legs will rather break than bend. 

 However, this difficulty is overcome in a very simple 

 way namely, by leaving them in the bottle for a few 

 days, when the rigid limbs will become relaxed and 

 as flexible as they were during life. Some care, how- 

 ever, is required, as, if they are left too long in the 

 bottle, the process of softening extends too far, and 

 the limbs are apt to fall off altogether. 



Very few instruments are required for the capture 

 of Beetles besides the digger which has already been 

 described. Two nets are almost indispensable, one 

 made of stout net, and the other of brown holland or 

 even canvas. The former should be about seven 

 inches in diameter, and is used for fishing Water 

 Beetles and their larvae out of ponds, ditches, and 

 streams. 



The latter, which is called from its use the sweep- 

 net, requires to be made with some care, as it meets 

 with very rough usage, and, unless properly made, 

 will soon be worn out. The depth should be at least 

 twice its diameter. 



The framework of the net is simply a ring or hoop 

 about nine inches in diameter, made of iron about one- 



