And Preserving Insects. 103 



mals, partially dried bones, are excellent traps for Coleoptera, es- 

 pecially Necrophidm^ Silphidce, Witidulidce, c&c. Planks and chip- 

 pings of wood may be likewise employed as successful agents in 

 alluring a vast number of species which might otherwise escape 

 notice. The muddy banks of rivers, and the alluvial deposits of 

 marshy grounds are pre-eminently rich, and must be carefully 

 searched for Carabidce, Sfaphijlinidce, &c. Felled timber should 

 never be overlooked, especially beneath the bark. The waters, 

 particularly stagnmt pools, teem with life, and during the autum- 

 nal months the collector must be on the qui vive with his water 

 net,* as several fine specimens of Z^y^iaiice and Ilydro2:>hilidce can 

 be added to his collection. 



The instrumenta belli of the Coleopterist. A sweeping-net is the 

 first thing to be obtained ; strong brass wire makes the best ring 

 for this net ; then a bag is made of linen or berlin wool canvas to 

 suit the size of the ring, which is attached to the end of a stick. 

 The use of this net is to sweep low shrubbery, flowers and grass ; 

 the rarest and smallest beetles are captured with it. I use but 

 one ring for all my nets, viz : — the sweeping, gauze, and water- 

 nets ; it is hinged in the centre, for the purpose of being more 

 portable ; the ends are bent round and flattened, so that one end 

 sits on the other; the handle is of wood, and bored at one end, 

 into which a screw is inserted. After the net is put on, the ends 

 of the ring are placed upon the stick, and tightened with the 

 screw. I carry all the nets in my pocket, and make use of them 

 as required, and also use the handle as a walking stick. 



A collecting bottle, (any wide mouthed one will answer) with 

 a good cork stopper ; the bottle should be encased in tin to pre- 

 vent its being easily broken. My friend, F. H. Ibbetson, Esq., 

 late Assistant Com. General, of Montreal, a profound entomologist, 

 generally wrapped a piece of cotton around his collecting bottle, 

 which he found to serve two purposes, to prevent any sudden blow 

 on the tin breaking the bottle, and as a bandage, should any cut 

 or injury be received. The bottle is half filled with fine saw-dust, 

 which has been previously sifted through a piece of net, whereby 

 all that is too coarse is separated ; the saw-dust is then moistened 

 with spirits of wine or good alcohol, and it is then ready for use. 

 I use this method for collecting Hemiptera^ Orthoptera, Hymenop- 

 tera and diptera. 



* This net is made of coarse canvas, on the same principle as the 

 sweeping-net. 



