CHAPTER III. 



COLLECTING AND PRESERVING INSECTS FOR THE CABINET. 



This interesting class of animals has for a long time 

 engaged the attention of students, yet it is surprising how 

 comparatively little has been written about those of Amer- 

 ica. The almost infinite number of species still affords 

 the young naturalist a wide field for careful investigation. 



In collecting insects, the instruments used are : An insect- 

 net, made of fine muslin or of silk gauze, and stretched 

 upon a light steel wire frame, with a light handle, about 

 four feet long, attached ; several wide-mouthed bottles and 

 phials filled with strong alcohol ; insect-pins of the best 

 quality, which can be procured at natural-history stores; 

 tweezers smaller than those used for birds (Plate I. Fig. 3); 

 also, a small pair of pliers (Fig. 1) ; several soft-pine boards 

 about twelve by twenty-four inches, ]}laned perfectly smooth, 

 will also be needed. 



Boxes or drawers are necessary for the reception of the 

 dried specimens, lined with thick felting or cork to receive 

 the point of the pin that holds the insect and keeps it 

 upright. An excellent box lined with paper is sometimes 

 used to advantage, a description of which may be found in 

 the "American Naturalist," Vol. I. p. 156. 



I hardly need state that a good microscope is indispensa- 

 ble in prosecuting the stuay of insects, although it may be 

 commenced without one. I shall take each order of insects 

 separately, and endeavor to explain how they are collected 

 and preserved, commencing with the 



Beetles, or Coleoptera. — The best way to preserve bee- 

 tles temporarily is by putting them instantly into strong 



