INSECTS. 



Collecting. Insects are abundant in nearly all locali- 

 ties throughout the interior of the United States. There 

 need, therefore, be no lack of material at the proper sea- 

 son. And because this group illustrates well the principles 

 of zoology, and furnishes animals of 

 singular beauty, variety, interest, and 

 importance, it may profitably be studied 

 as long as the limitations of time will 

 permit. 



Three special pieces of apparatus will 

 be needed, a collecting net, a cyanide 

 bottle, and a collecting basket. 



The net is for catching insects. To 

 make it, get a light, wooden handle two 

 or three feet long, a piece of heavy wire 

 (about No. 8) two feet and a half long, 

 several feet of small wire (broom wire 

 will do), and a square yard of " Swiss " 

 or mosquito netting. Bend the heavy 

 wire in a circle, crossing the ends and 

 bending them parallel. Cut a groove 

 in the end of the handle, and continue 

 it down the sides. Place the crossed ends of the wire in 

 this groove on opposite sides of the handle, and wrap them 

 there securely with the small wire. Make a bag of the 

 netting, of the same diameter as the wire circle, and about 

 two feet deep. Sew this on the wire circle, and the net is 

 complete. With a very little practice, it can be used suc- 



34 



FRAME FOR INSECT 

 NET: a, loop of 

 wire; b, handle; 

 c, wire and han- 

 dle in place. 



