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tremely active, and soon secrete themselves 

 amongst the weeds taken up in the net, and thus 

 easily escape notice. Besides the ahove haunts, 

 in fine, clear, and calm weather, numbers will 

 be seen sporting on the surface of the water, 

 others floating or swimming beneath it; consi- 

 derable dexterity, therefore, is requisite in cap- 

 turing them. Aquatic insects are frequently as 

 local as the land animals; no opportunity should, 

 therefore, be lost in taking them whenever they 

 are observed. Again, it is not uncommon for 

 these insects to leave the waters in the evening, 

 and fly to a considerable distance : there are also 

 stated times for the appearance of all insects in 

 their perfect state ; their lives are brief, and 

 they, after the lapse of a short time, will be 

 supplanted by other species ; thus, a small dis- 

 trict of only a few miles in circumference, will 

 afford ample employment to an active collector 

 for some years. Most of the insects of which 

 we have been speaking are carnivorous, and 

 feed on others, either in the perfect or larva 

 state ; it will, therefore, be advisable to put 

 them, when collected, at once into spirits, by 

 which they will be effectually prevented from 

 destroying their companions. Dead animals, 

 dried bones, decayed vegetable substances, and 

 C 



