28 INSECTS AT HOME. 



as an ordinary quill. If it be of lighter material, it will not 

 endure the rouoh work for which it is made. The rin<r is 

 covered loosely with the strongest tape, and to the tape is 

 sewn the net itself, which is nothing more than a bag of holland 

 or linen. The best sweep-nets liave a number of small rings 

 soldered on the inside of the hoop. A stout wire is run through 

 the rings, and the net is made fast to the wire. By this plan 

 the net will outlast twenty nets made in the ordinary way. 

 The angles at the bottom of the net should be carefully 

 rounded off. * 



Now for thfc, mode of using it. The simjjlest plan is to 

 attach to the ring a strong screw whi ch tits into a ferrule at the 

 end of a stout walking-stick. The entomologist can, there- 

 fore, go about his task without betraying any signs of his 

 occupation. The sweep-net and water- net, folded round their 

 rings, are placed in one pocket, the laurel-bottle is in another ; 

 the digger is hidden under the skirts of the coat, and a pair of 

 curved forceps is in the waistcoat pocket. 



When a promising sweeping-place is found, such as a hedge- 

 row, some long grass, fern or heather, a quantity of nettles, a 

 turnip field, or any such locality, the sweep-net is screwed to the 

 walking-stick, the laurel-bottle hung by a string to a button, 

 and all is ready. The net is then swept at random backwards 

 and forwards among the herbage, the stroke always having 

 an upward direction. This, with a little practice, can be done 

 so rapidly as scarcely to impede the walk. It is better, how- 

 ever, only to sweep one kind of plant at a time, so as to be 

 sure of the particular herb or vegetable frequented by each 

 species. 



After a time, comes the examination of the net. Lay it flat 

 on the ground, doubling it over, so that the pressure of the 

 hoop prevents the inmates from escaping. Now, draw it tlirough 

 the hoop very slowly, taking care that none of the more active 

 Beetles make their escape, especially those which hop and fly ; 

 seize the insects as they make their appearance, and drop them 

 into the laurel-bottle, always replacing the cork. Most Beetles 

 — and, in fact, nearly all that are taken in the sweep-net — will 

 pass through the tube ; but the large Grround Beetles, some of 

 the Water Beetles and. chafers, and one or two others, require 

 to have the large cork removed. 



