THE SWEEP-NET. 29 



third of an inch in diameter. If it be of lighter 

 material, it will not endure the rough work for which 

 it is made. The ring is covered loosely with stout 

 leather, and to the leather is sewn the net itself, which 

 is nothing more than a bag of holland or canvas. 

 The best sweep-nets have a number of small rings 

 forged on the inside of the hoop. A stout wire is run 

 through the rings, and the net is made fast to the 

 wire. The socket and ring must be welded together 

 and not soldered. The angles at the bottom of the 

 net should be carefully rounded off. The handle 

 should be made of ash, stout, and about five feet in 

 length. 



Now for the mode of using it. When a promising 

 sweeping-place is found, such as a hedge-row, some 

 long grass, fern or heather, a quantity of nettles, a 

 turnip field, or any such locality, the sweep-net is 

 swept at random backwards and forwards among the 

 herbage, the stroke always having an upward direc- 

 tion. This, with a little practice, can be done so 

 rapidly as scarcely to impede the walk. It is better, 

 however, only to sweep one kind of plant at a time, 

 so as to be sure of the particular herb or vegetable 

 frequented by each species. 



After a time, comes the examination of the net. 

 Lay it flat on the ground, doubling it over, so that 

 the pressure of the hoop prevents the inmates from 

 escaping. Now, draw it through the hoop very slowly, 

 taking care that none of the more active Beetles make 

 -their escape, especially those which hop and fly ; seize 

 the insects as they make their appearance, and drop 

 them into the laurel-bottle, always replacing the cork. 



