COLLECTING EQUIPMENT. 41 



and whicli I tave found very useful for transferring ax]uatic 

 specimens from vessel to vessel. The net is constructed out of 

 one of the small wire baskets whicli are sold for the purpose 

 of hanging on to the ends of teapot-spouts, in order that they 

 may catch those tea-leaves which otherwise would fall into 

 the cups. The wire fastening which is made to go down the 

 spout of the teapot is taken off the basket, and a straight piece 

 of rather thin wire, about 16in. or 18in. long, is wound (at its 

 middle) once round the basket, just below the rim, in such a 

 way that the two ends when twisted together form a handle 

 of nearly 1ft. in length. The teapot-spout basket may be bought 

 at almost every ironmonger's for Id. or Ifd. 



There is hardly any part of the year which is altogether 

 unsuitable for excursions in search of aquatic animals or plants. 

 1 have had successful days even when I have been obliged to 

 break the thin ice which was covering the surface of the water. 

 However, the sunmier-time is the best season of all for these 

 expeditions. 



