INSECTS. 75 



Before any attempt is made to collect insects, certain appa- 

 ratus must be provided, not only to enable us to secure them, 

 but also to preserve them after they are caught. 



First, then, we must be provided with a quantity of wooden 

 boxes, from 18 to 20 inches long, 15 to 17 inches wide, and two 

 inches deep. These should have well-fitted lids, with hinges, 

 and fastened by a wire catch, or small bolt. The bottom 

 should have a layer of cork, about the sixth of an inch in 

 thickness, which should be fixed down with very strong paste, 

 made according to our recipe ; and also some wire nails, to 

 prevent it from springing. Over the cork should be pasted 

 white paper. The box should be anointed inside with oil of 

 petroleum. If that cannot be procured, make an infusion of 

 strong aromatic plants, such as cinnamon, aloes, thyme, laurel, 

 sage, rosemary, or cloves, and wash the inside with it. A small 

 packet of camphor should be wrapped in a piece of rag, and 

 deposited in a corner of the box. 



We must also be provided with a quantity of Insect ping, of 

 different sizes, corresponding with the size of the insect. The 

 pins used for setting should be longer than those which are 

 taken to the field. 



Bottlep. with mouths from an inch and a quarter to two 

 inches in diameter, must also be procured, and these must be 

 three-fourths full of spirits, such as weak brandy, rum, gin, or 

 whisky. 



HUNTING-BQX. We must besides have what is termed a 

 hunting-box, for carrying in our pocket, when seeking after 

 insects. This should be made of strong pasteboard, or chip, for 

 lightness, or, if this is no consideration, of tin. It must be of 

 an oblong-oval shape, rounded at the ends, for the convenience 

 of the pocket. It should -be" frtfm eight to ten inches long, 

 four to five inches wide, and two-and-a-half to three inches 

 deep. It must have a layer of cork both in the bottom and 

 top of the lid, inside, for attaching insects to, when caught 

 during the day. The larger insects are placed at the bottom, 

 and the smaller ones on the lid^^y? 



THE ENTOMOLOGICAL NET.XVe next procure a net, as 

 figured at plate I V, figf./7.. constructed similar to a bat-fowling 



LHKVi$ l%tfr&+ 'y&b,t&l4. 



net. i This iseitlier made of fine gauze or coarse muslin ; it 

 may either be green or white the latter is the best for observ- 



