50 FIELD ZOOLOGY. 



the diameter of the loop. The bag may be left square 

 at the bottom, or may be cut pointed or rounded. Armed 

 with this, one is usually able to lengthen his jump so as to 

 keep up with even the grasshoppers. 



For aquatic insects, another sort of net may be more 

 useful. The wire loop and the long handle will be neces- 

 sary, unless there can be mustered a pair of rubber boots ; 

 but the loop should be considerably smaller, not over 

 eight or ten inches across; this net is to be used in water, 



Fig. 22. — Diagram of dip net. 



not in air, so it must be stouter. A piece of coarse, stiff 

 net should be cut into circular form about six or eight 

 inches larger in diameter than the wire loop. Turn in the 

 edge and sew it firmly to the loop, preferably with cord. 

 This makes a round-bottomed net, which remains spread 

 out whether wet or dry. (Fig. 22.) 



Another valuable help for all field work is a common 

 reading glass. One costing about I1.75 or $2.00 is 

 powerful enough. It enables half a dozen people to see 

 a given thing at one time, and also serves to watch insects 

 which are eating, showing how they do it. It is held at 

 ordinary reading distance. It may be held over a bee 

 while she is on a dandelion or a milkweed cluster; even a 

 wasp will not resent your looking at her with this 

 magnifier, touchy as wasps are; and butterflies reveal many 



