BRITISH INSECTS. Lis 
plants which grow under them; these should be well beat, 
but more especially when the white thorn blossoms in the 
months of May and June. Hedges where the roads are dusty 
are very seldom productive. 
Hratus anp Commons.— Many insects are peculiar to these 
situations from the plants which grow on them, as well as from 
the dung of cattle by which many of them are frequented, in 
the latter of which, many thousands of insects may be found in 
a single day, in the months of April and May. These are 
principally of the Order Coleoptera. 
Sanp Pirs.—These are favourable for the propagation of 
Capris lunarius, Notoxus monoceros, Lixus sulcirostris and 
other rare insects. Minute species are found abundantly at 
the roots of grass. 
Meapows, Marshes, AND Ponps.—In meadows, when the 
Ranunculi, or butter-cups, are in blossom, many Musce and 
Dipterous insects generally abound. The flag-rushes are the 
habitations of Cassida, Donacina, and others. Drills in marsh- 
es should be examined, as many species of insects are found 
on long grass. The larve of various Lepidoptera, and Neurop- 
tera are confined to these situations, more especially if hedges 
and trees are near the spot. Ponds are rich in microscopic 
insects. These are obtained by means of the landing net, 
which, for this purpose, need not be so long as represented in 
plate 1V., fig. 9, and should be made of pretty thick cotton 
cloth, but sufficiently thin to allow the water to escape. The 
mud which is brought up from the bottom of ponds and ditch- 
es should be examined, and what small insects are found may 
be put in a small phial filled with water, which will not only 
clean them, but keep them alive ; and in many instances the 
naturalist will be surprised upon the examination of these, the 
most wonderful productions of nature. 
Moss, Decayep Trers, Roots oF Grass, &c.—Many in- 
sects will be found in moss and under it; the roots and wood 
of decayed trees afford nourishment and a habitation to a num- 
ber of insects; many of the larve of Lepidoptera penetrate the 
trunks of trees in all directions; most of the Cerambyces feed 
on wood, as well as some species of Carabidae, Elateride, &e. 
In seeking for these, it is necessary to use the digger,—see 
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