34 FARM ANIMALS 
covered first with a strip of shecting 5 or 6 inches wide to form a 
gathering or shirring. To this strip is sewn a cheesecloth bag with 
a rounded bottom not less than 2 nor more than 3 feet deep. Thus 
insects may be prevented from escaping by turning the handle. 
(b) For the killing bottle choose a straight tube botile 1 or 114 
inches across or a big-mouthed 4 to 6-ounce bottle. In the bottom 
place a piece of cyanide of potassium 34 inch square, barely cover with 
water, and immediately add enough plaster of parts to soak up the 
water. This cements the cyanide to the bottom. Leave the bottle 
open in a shady place to dry for an hour, then cork it tight with a 
long cork and label it POISON. No child should be allowed to do 
this work because of the danger of handling the poison. The teacher 
or a druggist should do it. In using it keep the cork out only long 
enough to put insects in. If kept closed tightly it will last for sev- 
eral months. Insects may be left in it overnight without injury. 
Instead of cyanide, a few drops of choloform, sulphuric ether or 
benzine on cotton may be used, but they are not so convenient to 
handle. 
(c) The cork-lined collecting box is needed for insects too large 
or too delicate to put in the killing bottle. Such specimens must be 
carefully caught to prevent injury and touched with a soft paint 
brush dipped in chloroform, ether or benzine. This kills them in- 
stantly. Then they may be pinned through the thorax (the middle 
section of the body) and placed in the box. Some collectors pinch 
butterflies while the wings are folded above the back and then place 
them in pieces of paper folded to form a sort of three-cornered 
envelope. This is not so good a plan as the other, because there is 
more danger of breakage. 
Pill boxes and phials are useful for holding delicate insects, larvae 
and pup. Soft-bodied insects, spiders, etc., may be dropped in 
alcohol. 
(d) Insect pins are long, very thin, small headed and sharp 
pointed. They are much better for mounting insects than ordinary 
pins. 
