Insects, 483 



supported on two light rods, which pass along a border made of brown holland or other 

 strong substance, bend towards each other at an obtuse angle, and meet at the top of 

 the net. One of these rods is held in each hand, the handles being the parts uncover- 

 ed ; the net is fixed to each rod by means of a piece of tape, which passes through a 

 hole made in the rod, and is tied firmly in a bow. 



" The rods of the clap-net are each composed of five pieces united by ferules ; when 

 taken to pieces and placed in the net, the latter may be folded in a very moderate com- 

 pass, slipped into a brown holland case, and put in the coat-pocket. For this kind of 

 net both green and white muslin are used ; but white is much the best, as the small 

 insects are more readily distinguished on it; green muslin however has the merit of 

 being less conspicuous, which under some circumstances is an advantage, for instance, 

 in those country lanes where the pedestrians are unused to such an exhibition, the 

 white net never fails to attract a little crowd, which causes some slight inconvenience 

 to the entomologist, as well as loss of time, for he is invariably under the necessity of 

 explaining to the by-standers what he is doing. 



" This net is the best for pursuing butterflies and moths on the wing ; the hunter 

 tries to get the net under the object, and strikes upwards, closing the rods at the same 

 time. A loose bag is formed, by a fold of the muslin, across the bottom of the net; 

 this prevents anything from getting out. The same net is held in one hand under 

 the boughs of trees, &c, while these are beat by the stick of the water-net held in the 

 other hand ; and thus, besides perfect insects, a great number of caterpillars may be 

 obtained. 



" The other nets used by entomologists are of many kinds; these two are the best: 

 first, the forceps, with handles like those of scissors, with holes for the finger and thumb, 

 and two circular or octagonal frames of iron, on which muslin or cheese-cloth is stretch- 

 ed. This instrument is particularly useful for taking the Diptera and Hymenoptera, 

 which settle on umbelliferous flowers. The forceps should be kept in the right hip 

 pocket of the coat, to afford a greater facility in taking them out when wanted to be 

 used with celerity : but it must be borne in mind that this weapon is never to be trust- 

 ed when insects are on the wing; because its size is so small that the object at which 

 you snap is beyond your reach before the forceps can close, however correct your aim ; 

 and a repetition of the snap is seldom attended with better success. 



" The second net is the water-net. It is composed of a strong hoop of iron, jointed 

 so as to fold up in a convenient form ; on this hoop is fastened a strong bag net, made 

 of cheese-cloth ; the hoop has a male screw, which fits a female screw at the end of a 

 stout stick about four feet in length. With this instrument all water-insects are ta- 

 ken ; the water straining off through the net, and the insects remaining at the bottom. 



" The same net, or a lighter one of similar form, screwed on a similar or the same 

 stick, is called the sweeping net, and is used for sweeping grass, on which myriads of 

 minute insects are always to be found : the weeds on the banks of rivers and canals 

 are also excessively productive in insects, which can only be taken in this manner. In 

 walking through meadows it will be found a good plan to hold this net in such a po- 

 sition that it may continually strike the projecting blades of grass. 



" The entomologist should be provided with two wide-mouthed vials ; one empty 

 and perfectly dry, having a quill passing through the cork, and going a considerable 

 way below it: this quill may be stopped at top by a second small cork : within the vi- 

 al some blotting-paper may be kept, which not only absorbs any moisture, but serves 

 as something to crawl on for the living insects which are taken from time to time and 



