INSECTS. 75 
Before any attempt is made to collect insecis, certain appa- 
ratus must be provided, not only to enable us to secure them, 
but also to preserve them after they are caught. 
First, then, we must be provided with a quantity of wooden 
boxes, from ]8 to 20 inches long, 15 to 17 inches wide, and two 
inches deep. These should have well-fitted lids, with hinges, 
and fastened by a wire catch, or small bolt. The bottom 
should have a layer of cork, about the sixth of an inch in 
thickness, which should be fixed down with very strong paste, 
made according to our recipe; and also some wire nails, to 
prevent it from springing. Over the cork should be pasted 
white paper. The box should be anointed inside with oil of 
petroleum. If that cannot be procured, make an infusion of 
strong aromatic plants, such as cinnamon, aloes, thyme, laurel, 
sage, rosemary, or cloves, and wash the inside with it. A small 
packet of camphor should be wrapped in a piece of rag, and 
deposited in a corner of the box. 
We must also be provided with a quantity of Insect pins, of 
different sizes, corresponding with the size of the insect. The 
pins used for setting should be longer than those which are 
taken to the field. 
Bottles, with mouths from an inch and a quarter to two 
inches in diameter, must also be procured, and these must be 
three-fourths full of spirits, such as weak brandy, ram, gin, or 
whisky. 
Huntinc-Box.—We must besides have what is termed a 
hunting-box, for carrying in our pocket, when seeking after 
insects. This should be made of strong pasteboard, or chip, for 
ightness, or, if this is no consideration, of tin. It must be of 
an oblong-oval shape, rounded at the ends, for the convenience 
of the pocket. It should be from eight to ten inches long, 
four to five inches wide, and two-and-a-half to three inches 
deep. It must have a layer of cork both in the bottom and 
top of the lid, inside, for attaching insects to, when caught 
during the day. The larger insects are placed at the bottom, 
and the smaller ones on the lid. 
THE Enromotocicat Ner.—We next procure a net, as 
figured at plate IV. fig. 7., constructed similar to a bat-fowling 
net. This is either made of fine gauze or coarse muslin ; it 
may either be green or white—the latter is the hest for observ- 
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