142 ' NATURE STUDY REVIEW [8 :4— April, 1912 



since some of the dark colored forms are difficult to see in the 

 muddy contents of the net. 



■3. Rinse out the net thoroughly hefore leaving the collect- 

 ing place and on reaching home put it in a place where it will 

 soon dry. 



4. When collecting in a stream where there is a current, 

 work up stream so that the clouded water will not interfere with 

 the collecting. 



Hozv to Use the Garden Rake. 



1. Use the garden rake in ponds and streams where there 

 is much loose material on the bottom. 



2. Rake a mass of this material ashore and examine. The 

 insects will show themselves in trying to get back to the water. • 



GENERAL METHODS OF REARING. 



The one important thing to remember is that natural condi- 

 tions must be imitated as nearly as possible. 

 1. Hozv to Make an Aquarium (For Insects of Quiet Water). 



a. Vessels. Almost any glass vessel will do. Tumblers, 

 jelly glasses, candy jars, battery jars, and fruit jars are useful. 

 Be sure that they are clean before using them. 



b. Put a layer of sand (about one inch thick) in the bottom 

 of the vessel. 



c. Fill the vessel with pond or stream water to within about 

 three inches of the top. 



d. Put some of the water plants found growing in the native 

 haunts of the insects into the vessel. These will keep the water 

 supplied with oxygen and will furnish food for some of the 

 insects. 



e. Put into the vessel a few stems which extend up out of 

 the water. These are to serve as supports for the larvae to crawl 

 out upon. 



/. Cover with fine wire netting, or with a piece of mosquito 

 netting or "Swiss" held in place by a rubber band. 



g. Place in a north window if possible. Avoid placing in 

 direct sunlight. 



2. Hoiv to Care for the Aquarium. 



a. Put only a few insects into each jar. Let these be of 

 the same kind and of about the same size. 



/;. Avoid overheating the water. Keep rather cool. 



c. Replace the evaporated water with pond or stream water. 



