320 



INSECT LIFE. 



The four sizes are used for the names of orders, 

 families, genera, and species respectively. The 

 method of arrangement of these labels is also shown 

 in Fig. 286, the x's representing the position of the 

 specimens thus labeled. 



These figures represent the style of labels ordi- 

 narily used in collections. In the case of collections 

 made by young pupils who are beginning the study 

 of insects more extensive labels may be desirable. 

 These should be neatly written on plain paper and a 

 line drawn about each with a pen. See examples in 

 Lessons XVIII and XXV. 



II. ON TAKING NOTES. 



Note-books and Slips. — There are two distinct 

 systems of keeping notes : By one, the notes are writ- 

 ten in a blank book ; by the other, they are written 

 on slips of paper, which are afterward arranged ac- 

 cording to subjects. 



An objection to the use of a note-book arises from 

 the fact that when one begins a series of observations 

 it is impossible to determine how much space is going 

 to be required for the notes on it ; and, consequently, 

 it is impracticable to keep together all notes on each 

 subject. By the slip system this is easily done ; for 

 this reason, most naturalists write their notes on slips 

 or sheets of paper, and keep them classified in envel- 

 opes or covers. 



A combination of these two systems meets most 

 perfectly the needs of an entomologist. It is my 

 practice to write notes on general subjects on sheets 

 of paper, which are kept classified in folded sheets of 

 Manilla paper. But for the notes on species of in- 



