104 Instnictiorts for Collecting 



Insects collected as above described, will keep fresh (provided 

 tlie botile is kept well corked), for upwards of a 3'ear, and are al- 

 ways in good condition for the cabinet. 



A scizzors, camels-hair brushes, a pair of pliers, and pieces of 

 card are necessary. A drying-box is the next requisite, one made 

 of pine will answer the purpose, it must contain at least four 

 boards to slide like drawers, the boards to be covered with cork, 

 or any other soft material that pins can stick into.* After an 

 excursion, the contents of the collecting bottle are emptied on a 

 piece of white paper, and the new captives selected therefrom, and 

 mounted on pinsj suitable to the size of the insects. They are 

 then placed in the drying-box, and left there until they are tho- 

 roughly dry, when they are transferred to the cabinet wherein the 

 entomologist arranges his collection. The cabinet must be made 

 to shut very close so as to exclude the dust and minute parasitic 

 insects. 



The pin should be stuck through the centre of either the right 

 or left elytron of coleopterous insects ; I find the right side to an- 

 swer best, especially for small specimens. 



HOW TO COLLECT LEPIDOPTERA. 



To collect butterflies and moths on the wing, the entomologist 

 must use a net whic.h should be made of white book muslin, or of 

 green lino or net. The insect when seen is pursued, and the 

 instant it is captured a sharp turn is given to the net, and the spe- 

 cimen is a prisoner ; a slight squeeze on the thorax with the fin- 

 ger and thumb, the insect becomes paralysed, and in that state 

 pinned. 



Nocturnal moths are often found asleep on palings or trunks of 

 trees, and may be taken without the aid of the net ; crepuscular 

 species may also be found in the same position, but they will rea- 

 dily take alarm when the collector approaches, therefore, the net 

 is necessary to capture them. 



* When cork cannot be procured the following composition will an- 

 swer : — 10 oz. of yellow rosin, 6 oz. of yellow wax, 2 oz. of tallow, and 

 1 oz. of turpentine. Melt them together over a fire, and when they are 

 well melted and mixed, set the box or drawer upon a table or other place 

 which is perfectly horizontal, then pour the mixture gently into the box, 

 so as to cover the bottom about the tenth of an inch. Before it cools, 

 cover it completely with white paper previously prepared. 



■j- Entomological Pins may be obtained of W. Gale, Crown Court, 

 Cheapside, London, England. 



