COLLECTING 35 



cessfully. When by a stroke the insect is caught, a quick 

 turn of the hand makes a fold in the net, and prevents 

 its escape. 



The cyanide bottle is for killing insects that are to 

 be preserved as specimens. Get a wide-mouthed bottle 

 of a capacity of at least a pint, half an ounce of potas- 

 sium cyanide, a handful of plaster of Paris, and a poison 

 label. Break the cyanide into small pieces (avoid its 

 poisonous fumes), and place them in the bottom of the 

 bottle. Pour in just enough water to cover them. Add 

 plaster of Paris until it remains dry over the entire sur- 

 face. The plaster will quickly set, forming a porous 

 poison cake in the bottom. Let the bottle stand uncorked 

 for half a day; then shake out the surplus plaster, wipe 

 clean the sides, cork, affix the poison label, and keep out of 

 the way of children. Most insects, when shut inside, die 

 at once. To transfer a captured insect from the net to the 

 bottle, push the uncorked bottle carefully up inside the 

 folded net. 



The collecting basket is for carrying insects home alive. 

 A close-woven basket with a netting cover will answer 

 every purpose. Any kind of basket will do, if lined with 

 netting. A place must be fixed at the edge for putting in 

 and taking out the insects. 



In collecting, always observe the following rules : 



1. Collect no more specimens than will probably be used. 

 The taking of more is but the wanton destruction of life. 



2. Get for preservation the finest specimens obtainable, 

 and preserve them with utmost care. Fine specimens are 

 always a delight, and poor ones are of no credit to any one. 



3. Keep live specimens supplied with food, water, and 

 fresh air. To let an animal die a lingering death for want 

 of either of these common necessities, is extreme cruelty. 



4. Make each collecting trip an opportunity for study- 

 ing animal life under natural conditions. Make note of 



