i8o NOTEBOOKS AND COLLECTIONS 



and | inch deep; but a number of smaller 

 ones will also be required. It is advisable 

 to number the boxes on the lid and bottom 

 before starting, and to keep the empty ones 

 separate from those which contain specimens. 

 On netting a butterfly or moth, slip into 

 the net one of the boxes with the lid off, coax 

 the specimen into it, and put on the lid. 

 When the insect finds itself in the dark, it 

 will not flutter. Powerful species, which 

 might injure themselves by fluttering, will 

 have to be killed by putting a few drops of 

 benzine into the box. In this case, a small 

 piece of soft paper will have to be placed 

 over the insect in the box to prevent it being 

 rubbed and damaged as you walk. Many 

 collectors carry a corked collecting-box, and 

 kill and pin their captures at once. I have 

 always found that, with ordinary care, the 

 chip boxes are equally efficient, and far more 

 convenient. On arriving home, the insects 

 may be killed by putting a few drops of 

 benzine into the box, or may be transferred 

 into a killing box. This can be constructed 

 out of one of those small tin boxes fitted 

 with tight lids, such as are used for many 



