30 BRITISH BUTTERFLIES. 



CHAPTEE IV. 



BUTTERFLIES IN THE CABINET HOW TO CATCH THEM APPARATUS 

 GOING OUT WEATHER LOCALITIES LOCAL BUTTERFLIES 

 INCOGNITOS FIELD WORK FAVOURITE STATIONS BEWARE 

 OF THE BRAMBLE. 



THE mention of butterflies "in the cabinet" leads at 

 once to the question, ho^ to get them there j or, in 

 other words, How TO CATCH A BUTTERFLY. 



This is a question often less difficult to answer in 

 words than in action, for many of our butterflies are 

 gifted not only with strong prejudices against the inside 

 of a net, but with very strong powers of escaping from 

 that unpleasant situation. Still, by aid of proper ap- 

 paratus, a sure eye and hand, and often, of a good pair 

 of legs, there is no butterfly, however fleet and wary, 

 that we may not feel ourselves a tolerable match for. 



Firstly, then, as to the out-door apparatus required. 



This is simple enough, a net and pocket-boxes, with a 

 few pins, being the only essentials. 1 



Variously constructed nets are used, according to 

 fancy, but the choice may lie between two chief forms : 

 the Clap-net and the Ring-net. 



The former certainly gives more power in a fair 

 chase, but the latter has the advantage of being the 

 lighter, more portable, and less conspicuous of the two. 

 Both of these instruments are shown in the accompany- 

 ing figures. 



(1) As beginners in entomology are, I know, often glad to be informed of 

 some reliable dealer from whom to procure the apparatus required for the 

 pursuit, I have pleasure in here giving the name of Mr. T. Cooke, of 513, 

 New Oxford Street (a central and accessible situation), where all the 

 apparatus mentioned in this work, and numerous other natural history 

 articles, are to be found, good and cheap, I believe. For the guidance of 

 young amateurs, I will mention the prices of a few of the more necessary 

 articles I have myself purchased or examined at the above establishment. 

 Cane ring-nets, with stick, and ready for use, 2s. ; ring-net, with three- 

 jointed metal ring and screw'socket, 4s. 6d. ; pocket collecting-boxes, corked, 

 Bd. to Is. each ; store-boxes, 14 in. by 10 in. corked top and bottom, 2s. Qd. ; 

 drying houses, for securely keeping setting-boards when in use, and con- 

 taining eleven corked setting-boards and drawer for pins, &c. 10s. 6d. ; 

 sheet cork, for lining cabinets, 7 in. by 3 in. Is. doz. sheets ; entomological 

 pins, three sizes, mixed, Is. oz. <foc. &c. 



