344 GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA INSECTS. 



triangles as follows: For the larger Lepidoptera and Odonata use a piece of 

 paper the shape and size of a page of this book, folding it obliquely across 

 the middle, doubling over the projecting ends and turning the corners over 

 again making a triangular envelope. One side is now opened, the insect 

 inserted and then it is closed up again and the two acute angles are twisted 

 over and pinched together effectively sealing the envelope. For most butter- 

 flies and other insects a sheet of paper a half, a quarter or even an eighth 

 the size if this page would be used. Insects liable to injure themselves in 

 the paper may be killed by a drop of gasolene, benzine, chloroform or ether 

 which will soak thru the paper, or the envelope may be held for a moment 

 over a flame, heat being very quickly fatal to all insects. The common 

 gelatin to be had at any drug store is one of the most satisfactory containers 

 for specimens of insects and should be regularly carried in the pockets of 

 every collector. 



On collecting trips a net and a cyanide bottle are almost always carried 

 by insect collectors. A butterfly net is usually made of mosquito netting or 

 some similar fabric, made bag-shaped and two or three times as deep as the 

 diameter. The best nets for sweeping and general collecting is a conical 

 bag about a foot in diameter and a foot and a half to two feet deep;. A 

 special shallow net, preferably of wirecloth. Electric lights or any kind of 

 this net is an extension at the tip of the bag to hold a quarter pound paper 

 bag, a narrow sleeve on the inside flts into the paper bag and the insects are 

 driven into this bag by the motion of the net. The paper bags are replaced as 

 fast as they are filled and the insects brought in alive or placed bag and ail 

 in a large cyanide jar. The particular advantage of this net is the good 

 condition of the insects even when captured in wet grass. 



The net hoop may be made by bending a piece of wire into a hoop, the two 

 ends being bent out at right angles so as to lie adjacent and parallel with 

 each other. These ends are then inserted into the small end of a six-inch tin 

 ferrule and soldered fast. This ferrule may serve as a handle or fitted over 

 the end of a handle and held in place by a tack. 



The cyanide bottle is by far the most convenient means of killing insects 

 for the collection. A wide-mouthed bottle with an easily removed cork is 

 charged with a small lump of cyanide, the vapor given off from which quickly 

 kills any insect which may be enclosed. 



The cyanide may be covered with wet plaster of paris, which sets at once 

 holding the cyanide in place and preventing the insects from coming into 

 direct contact with the poison, which might discolor them. The plaster may 

 be put into the bottle dry and water added carefully so as to wet only a thin 

 layer of the plaster, tamping it so as to leave no cavities. This dries quicker 

 and is more easily removed when it is desired to recharge a bottle. In either 

 case the bottle m.ust be thoroly dried before using and redried if it becomes 

 wet, otherv/ise the specimens may be injured. Another method preferred by 



