56 INSECTA 



can be readily caught in the jar by sHpping the 

 open jar below the insect and quickly knocking 

 it into the jar with the lid. 



(2) Net. 



(a) Making. ''For a handle to the net an old broom- 



stick may be used. Bend a No. 3 galvanized 

 wire into a circle about a foot in diameter, turn- 

 ing the ends of the wire out. A hole should be 

 made in the end of the handle by burning it with 

 a red hot iron, or by boring it with a small bit. 

 Now fasten the ends of the wire firmly into this 

 with pegs or nails. Make a cheesecloth sack a 

 yard long, round off one corner of the bottom, 

 and firmly sew the open end to the wire."^ 



(b) Using. In using, give the net a light, quick swing. 



When an insect is caught, throw the net over to 

 one side so the insect cannot escape at the top. 



Sweep the net along over the grass or the tops of 

 bushes as you pass, and insects trying to escape 

 will fly into the net. Instead of chasing a butterfly, 

 follow it cautiously till it lights and quickly 

 throw the net over it. 



As to the manner of taking the insects from the net, 

 see cyanid jar (1) (b). 



(3) Care of Specimens while collecting. 



If only a few insects are caught, they may be carried 

 home in the cyanid jar, and even allowed to remain 

 in it over night, but if very many are captured, 

 some will be damaged by crowding, or by the 

 struggles of those afterward put into the jar. 

 (a) A deep cigar-box may be used to good advantage 

 for carrying home the insects. In the bottom of 

 the box put a layer of sheet wadding, then a 

 layer of glazed or tissue paper, then a layer of 

 insects. Follow this by alternate laj^ers of wad- 

 ding and paper, and insects as needed, putting the 

 glazed paper next to the insects. 



^ Jackson and Daugherty's " Agriculture Through the Laboratory and 

 School Garden." 



