ZOOLOGY. 235 



texture, as not to permit their being caught without injury, 

 except in nets of the finest materials ; the collector should 

 in the first place furnish himself with one adapted to this 

 purpose, that represented on the plate has been found to 

 answer after repeated trials, better than any other. The 

 net should be made of fine gauze, having its stiffness taken 

 off by soaking it for some time in warm water, or if dyed 

 green, which is the common practice, the soaking will be 

 unnecessary. 



He is next to provide himself with two or three oval 

 boxes for the pockets, lined at the top and bottom with thin 

 cork ; and a cushion well stored with pins of various sizes ; 

 besides which, he should possess a pair of forceps, with flat 

 sides, to take hold of such insects as are armed with stings ; 

 the forceps known at the Surgeons Instrument-makers, by 

 the name of Crane-necked, are peculiarly adapted for this 

 purpose. 



The Boxes most convenient for the pocket, may be 

 purchased at most Toy Warehouses, and are generally 

 sold in nests, these should be lined with thin pieces of cork, 

 and neatly covered with paper. The cork is to be obtained 

 at the Cork-Cutters, it must be close grained, and the sur- 

 face as smooth as can be procured ; it should then be heated 

 either before the fire, or in an oven, and whilst quite hot, 

 should be placed between two pieces of smooth board, and 

 either put into a strong press, or under a heavy weiglit, 

 where it should remain for a day or two, till perfectly 



