18 



one, and on the whole I prefer the two implements, as each does its 

 own work better than the combination. 



The umbrella if possible should have whalebone ribs ; but as it is 

 difficult now-a-days to get such antiquated structures, it is of no use 

 insisting on that point. Anyhow, the frame should be as strong as 

 possible, as if when beating, the stick misses a bough and comes 

 down on the umbrella, the effect on a weak structure is likely to be 

 disastrous. The cover should be of white linen or holland. One 

 great advantage which an umbrella has over a wide-mouthed net is 

 that it can be held by the ferrule end over one's head under higher 

 branches than can be beaten into a net, which has to be held 

 horizontally. An ordinary Coleoptera bottle, with a tube through 

 the cork, is, I think, the best for collecting purposes ; this should 

 have a piece of cyanide of about the size of two peas at the bottom, 

 these should be well wedged down with blotting-paper, over which 

 should be pla< ed a cone of white note-paper, so arranged as to come 

 well up the sides of the bottle, in order that the insects may not 

 touch the damp blotting-paper. The least damp will spoil some of 

 the more delicate species, causing the membrane to curl up at the 

 apex, which completely disfigures the specimens. An ordinary fern 

 trowel makes an excellent digger, and is very useful for removing 

 bark, digging at the roots of grass, &c. 



The features of the country he is in should be carefully considered 

 by the collector, and his collecting should be guided by their 

 peculiarities. Where extensive commons occur, probably there 

 rarities may be sought with success. Where pinewoods are a feature 

 of the neighbourhood, good species may be expected from beating 

 them. Where large sphagnum bogs exist they should be specially 

 worked, and so on. It should be remembered that the insects 

 peculiar to certain species of plants will not always be found on 

 them, especially if only introduced into gardens, &c. As a rule, 

 sandy districts are very good for Hemiptera ; and sandy commons, 

 such as Chobham Common, and what is called West End Common, 

 Chobham, in which large boggy tracts occur, are perhaps as prolific 

 in their yield of species as any localities that can be selected ; they 

 provide dry sandy spots, marshes, sphagnum bogs, and actual water, 

 with the very variable vegetation which belongs to each. In summer, 

 i. e. June and July, a wooded inland locality, such as the New Forest, 

 is as hopeful as any ; but in August and September preference may 

 probably be given to some seaside locality with good sand-hills, 

 such as Deal or Lowestoft, or some inland sandy common. 



The various seasons of the year of course require different methods 

 of collecting. Beating and sweeping are probably in the summer 

 the most productive ; but there is little to be done in this way until 

 June, as the larvae do not begin to feed till the leaves come out, and 

 some time must elapse before the perfect insects are to be found. 

 There are, however, a good many species that hybernate. These 

 may be found in the early spring, or, indeed, at any time during the 



