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 Emperor, 

 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 purchased, 

 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 tlmmb 

 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 : 



