354 



COLLECTING, REARING 



[CH. 



should be made of a moderately soft white paper (about the stiffness of news- 

 paper) so as not to crush the eyes of the Dragonfly. For ordinary localities, 

 three sizes are sufficient: Agrionid-size, 

 3J x 2 inches ; Libellulid-size,^ x 3 inches; 

 and Aeschnid-size, 6x4 inches. These 

 proportions give a reasonably broad flap 

 for writing on. The dragonfly is placed 

 in the paper with its wings folded back, 

 and the flaps are carefully closed. It is 

 convenient to have a flat tin in one pocket, 

 full of empty papers, and a wider rect- 

 angular tin or small box in the other, 

 for reception of the papered specimens. 

 This prevents overcrowding, and con- 

 sequent flattening of the eyes. 



Agility, except of the wrist, plays 

 little part in the capture of Dragonflies. 

 They are not to be caught by chasing. 

 A swift back-hand stroke over one's 

 head is the most effective way of cap- 

 turing large species. With all fast or 

 wary species a safe rule is to strike from 

 behind, or, if the stroke must be from 

 in front, then downwards upon the insect. 

 _A direct frontal stroke can be seen 

 and dodged by most species. To get within striking distance, it is only 

 necessary to watch the Dragonfly carefully, and note the places where he 

 turns, or the twigs which he seems to favour. Most species will return often 

 to the same spots. Also, in all movements of approach towards Dragonflies 

 at rest, it is essential to move uniformly, without jerks of any kind. The 

 collector who becomes expert in this will be surprised to find that he can 

 usually rely upon getting within striking distance of even the largest species 

 without alarming them. But if he must wink his eyelid, or make any sudden 

 movement with his feet or hands, all his labour will be lost. Nor should he 

 wear any striking colours, such as a white hat or bright tie. 



In choosing localities for collecting, small ponds or streams are always 

 to be preferred to large ones. Even though the fauna be less numerous, 

 the chances of catching them are increased in a much greater proportion. 

 A brook of such a width that, by standing on a jutting promontory, the collector 

 can command the whole passage of the stream, is the ideal place for catching 

 Dragonflies. 



Preservation. As soon as the specimen is dead, it should either be set, 

 or permanently papered. Set Dragonflies take up a lot of room, but they are, 

 to my mind, far preferable to papered specimens, and more easily looked 

 after, since all the parts are spread out clearly to the view, and the pin is 



Fig. 181. Diagram to shew method 

 of folding a paper triangle. In A, 

 the dotted lines indicate creases. 

 The paper should first be folded 

 about eg ; then the edges are folded 

 over along eh and fg, the final 

 result being shewn in B. Original. 



