256 POPULAR ENTOMOLOGY. 



strongly fastened a small hoop of cane to support a green 

 gauze net or bag ; by a dexterous turn of the hand, easily 

 acquired by practice, Butterflies and other insects may 

 be soon caught on the wing with this simple apparatus. 

 For some of the Lepidoptera, such as the Purple Em- 

 peror, a much longer rod is necessary, but these will 

 not probably come under the observation of the student 

 until he has acquired some experience, when he will find 

 ways and means for himself. The cane, or hoop, may be 

 about two feet in circumference, and the net half a yard 

 in length. Entomological forceps are also very useful when 

 insects are settled on leaves : these must of course be pur- 

 chased, so that a description is unnecessary, and they may 

 well be dispensed with for a time ; some chip boxes are also 

 useful for putting insects in, when the collector is at a 

 distance from home, that they may not be rubbed by the 

 hand, and the colour injured. The Lepidoptera are most 

 easily killed by a slight pressure of the finger and thumb on 

 the thorax, below the wings; this is, at least, generally 

 sufficient, but sometimes, to the great uneasiness of the 

 humane naturalist, they will be found alive some time after ; 

 suffocating by means of sulphur is still less certain, and 

 Messrs. Kirby and Spence recommend the following plan : 



