238 ZOOLOGY. 



perfect or Fly state, are generally found about waters, as 

 Libellula, Dragon-Fly; Ephemera, Dav-Fly; Phyr- 

 ganea; Hemerobius. 



The genus Myrmelion or Ant-Lion, is found in the 

 fly state, in the yicinity of sand banks. Most of these Insects 

 maybe caught with little injury, in the gauze nets, used for 

 Lipedopterous Insects. They should as soon as caught, be 

 gently squeezed beneath the thorax, either with the thumb 

 and finger, or with the forceps described when speaking of 

 Butterflies and Moths ; or they are speedily killed with 

 spirits of turpentine. The same plan is to be pursued in 

 setting them, as in the preceding class. 



As the major part of the genera comprising the class Hyme- 

 noptera, are furnished with stings, care will be necessary to 

 avoid being injured thereby, they may for the most part be 

 best captured in the forcep nets, see plate 6, fig. 4. The 

 best mode of killing these Insects is by placing them in a box, 

 or under a glass, and exposing them to the action of heat, 

 either by holding the box close to the fire, or placing it in 

 an oven for a few seconds, which immediately kills them, 

 without injury to their colours. Boiling water hurts their 

 wings, and also the fine hairs with which the bodies of some 

 kinds are covered, spirits of wine or turpentine quickly 

 proves fatal to some, whilst others do not appear at all 

 affectsd by them ; the turpentine also frequently injures the 

 colours. When dead their wings should be expanded, the 

 pin that is passed through the thorax, must be sufficient- 

 ly long to permit the legs of the insects to be placed in * 

 natural posture. 



