paper is like that which comes around Uneeda crackers and the like. Have 

 as many of these layers as may be necessary until the box is filled. To hold 

 the layers in place and exert a gentle pressure upon them from the outset I 

 place in the box a thin board as a sort of false cover, which moves freely up 

 and down inside the box. Attached to the upper part of this sliding board 

 or false cover is a thin steel band about half an inch wide (mine came from 

 an old clock,) bent upward in the form of a bow, with one end firmly attached 

 to the board by means of a tack or screw. As the cover slides in place it 

 presses against the upper part of this bowed spring and forces the false cover 

 down upon the layer." Mr. Dukes uses this box in collecting Coleoptera, 

 but it is an absolutely perfect way of carrying Lepidoptera. The box may 

 even be dropped without injuring the specimens. All the layers may not be 

 used or required each trip, but are in readiness in case they are required. This 

 box he carries with a shawl strap or piece of elastic. 



MR. COTTLE'S METHOD. 



Mr. Cottle does not use a cyanide bottle when collecting, but employs 

 instead a metallic-lined wooden box with a sliding glass cover. In the center 

 of the box or at the end is a compartment with gauze-like perforations which 

 contains the cyanide. When taking insects from the net the sliding cover may 

 be opened a little way for a small fly or fully drawn back for a large specimen, 

 and in either case the cover can be instantly pushed over the opening while the 

 box is still in the net. The open-mouthed cyanide bottle is far clumsier and 

 must generally be taken out of the net before the cork can be inserted or the 

 cap screwed in place. Some of Mr. Cottle's boxes have a partition in the middle 

 and a compartment for papered specimens. His principal collecting box is 

 made of metal, zinc I think, contains a compartment for cyanide and has a false 

 or sliding cover which exerts a gentle pressure upon the papered specimens which 

 prevents them from jostling or jarring. I have never possessed anything like so 

 perfect an outfit, but fully appreciate its advantages. Excellent results, however, 

 may be obtained from simple, home-made collecting boxes. If those who are 

 financially able take elaborate pains to insure the safety of the perfect specimens 

 which they capture surely the beginner must do everything in his power to 

 protect his butterflies from injury. Do not begrudge the time or labor, or care 

 which are necessary to guard your catch against the shakings, the shocks and 

 accidental jarrings which threaten it during your rambles. Whatever you do 

 never allow butterflies to be piled together indiscriminately in a cyanide jar. At 

 the very least, paper your specimens and place them carefully in a separate 

 cyanide jar. Very good collecting boxes can be reasonably purchased from 

 the supply houses. 



THE PAPER ENVELOPES. 



Over and over I must reiterate that the beginner is apt to worry because 

 he cannot do each particular thing in a prescribed manner. An author recom- 

 mends his favorite way of doing this or that, but another author would suggest 

 an entirely different method. In the matter of papering specimens one collector 

 would insist that it is best to purchase the coin or pay check envelopes which 

 druggists use. They are of different sizes but one 2'/2x3 inches will accom- 

 modate all the smaller species. These envelopes are very cheap and are really 

 very neat. Holland's Butterfly Book suggests taking a piece of paper whose 

 length is half an inch longer than the width, bringing a corner to within a quarter 



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