[31] 



COLLECTING AND PRESERVING INSECTS RILEY. 



Fig. 48.- 



-Beating net, opened and attached to handle, with Itame 

 of same folded. (After Kiesenwetter.) 



than the diameter of the wire. These little brass rings should not be 



more than 30 mm. or at most 40 mm., distant from each other, and to 



them the upper rim of the 



bag is sewed with very 



strong twine and is thus 



protected from wear and 



tear. The handle or stick 



of the net should be firmly 



and solidly attached to 



the ring and should be 



stout and not liable to 



break. I jDrefer a rather 



short stick, say not longer 



than two feet. 

 I figure herewith the 



ring of a very convenient 



net for sweeping or beat- 

 ing purposes. It has the 



advantage of being for 



sale on the market, and 



in fact is an ordinary fishing dip net of small size. It is hinged in 



three places, as shown in the figure, and folds into very small compass. 

 When unfolded and brought together, it screws 

 into a ferrule which may be attached to a cane or a 

 special handle. 



The beating net can be successfully used at almost 

 every season of the year. Even on warm days in 

 winter time many specimens can be swept from the 

 dead grass. So long as the dew is on the plants or 

 in rainy weather no beating should be attempted, 

 as the more delicate species are more or less spoiled 

 by the moisture. After one or two minutes' sweep- 

 ing the contents should be examined. Those in- 

 sects which are quick to take wing or which are 

 good runners should first receive attention; the 

 less active can then be examined more at leisure. 



The desiderata are then disposed of, the rest thrown away, and the 



beating renewed. 

 The beating net is an important instrument for collecting all insects 



excepting mature Lepidoptera, which are apt to get rubbed. Many 



larvae, especially of Lepidoptera, are caught by beating and are mostly 



in good condition, but it is usually difficult to ascertain the food plant. 

 TJie Water Net. — The numerous insects or insect larvae which live 



in the water can not be conveniently collected without the use of a 



net, except where they live in small shallow streams or creeks with 



Pig. 49.— Folding ring 

 for beatingnet (original) . 



