February i, 189 1] 



THE HUMMING BIRD. 



15 



Hymenoptera and -Diptera must be pinned in the 

 same way through the thorax and exposed to the 

 sun (or to the heat of a fire a few minutes) ; this 

 exposition near the fire will kill them. They must 

 absolutely be pinned and sent in corked boxes ; 

 because in the bottles, their wings would be 

 damaged. 



Insects are to be found everywhere, under stones, 

 moss, bark of decayed trees, in detritus or all 

 matter in decomposition, in mushrooms, flowers, 

 ripe fruits, in water, in dung, in soil, in the caverns, 

 in dead bodies, in dried and rolled leaves, on sand, 

 near the sea, and under seaweeds, in ant's nests on 

 trunks of trees ; especially those that have much sap 

 running, on long grass and herbage, in plains, etc., 

 etc., etc. 



With an open umbrella lined inside with light 

 linen cloth, and a stout stick, very profitable collec- 

 tions may be made by striking the bushes over the 

 umbrella. 



Aquatic Insects must be caught with the landing 

 net. This net is employed for the aquatic Insects and 

 Shells, and also for sweeping the long grasses and 

 herbages in the plains. In that way you can take large 

 quantities of Insects. 



MARINE, LAND, AND FRESH WATER 

 SHELLS. 



Shells, as indicated by their name, are to be found 

 in the sea, on land, and in fresh water. 



Several species . have an operculum (it is a small 

 round piece of the same matter of the shell, which is 

 fastened to the body of the animal). 



It is used as a door : when he wants to come out, 

 he opens it, and shuts it when he likes ; then he is 

 sheltered from birds and insects which are fond of 

 them. 



It must be preserved ; because it is useful for the 

 "ecognition of the species. 



Marine Shells are to be collected in quantity, 

 dredging the sheltered places as near as possible to 

 the reefs of rocks ; the nearer you approach, the more 

 shells you will collect. 



On the rocks and in the crevices, you will find 

 many shells. 



On the sea shore at the new and full moon, the 

 collector should go and turn the stones and will be 

 amply repaid for his trouble. 



After severe gales of wind, many valuable species 

 brought from far away will be found ; you must not 

 miss these occasions. 



Fresh water shells are to be collected in the rivers, 

 lakes, and ponds ; they are found in the mud, on the 

 edge of the rivers or. rivulets, and are generally very 

 abundant ; they must not be neglected. Small 

 species are as interesting as the largest. 



Land Shells are found under stones, in clefts of 

 rocks, under dried leaves, and other vegetable detritus, 

 on trunks, leaves and branches of trees, under 

 decayed trees, moss, etc., etc. ; but always in 

 sheltered, warm, and wet spots. 



The calcareous mountains, when well forested, are 

 very good places for collecting shells. 



They have value only when collected adult and alive. 



To know when a shell is adult, whatever may be its 

 size, is when the lip (or the edges of the mouth) are 

 grown round and firm enough to resist the pressure 

 of your finger nail. 



Young specimens will be collected when adults 

 cannot be found. 



To collect Shells, it is necessary to be provided with 

 a basket with moss or other soft matter ; place the 

 shells on it, separating the large from the small 

 species. 



When at home, put them in a pail with lukewarm 

 water and cover it ; when you see the animals 

 coming out of the shells, draw off quickly the water, 

 taking care none fall down, and pour boiling 

 water enough to cover them ; a few minutes after, 

 pour cold water, and then with a pin or needle take 

 out the animals as you would do with the snails used 

 as food. 



In doing this delicate operation, take much care 

 not to pierce the shell or break the mouth. 



AVhen the animals are out, wash the shells and 

 shake out the water and the interior dirt, and place 

 them on paper to dry ; but not to the sun. 



When dry, put some cotton in the mouth and paste 

 the operculum on it. 



Small species will be packed in glass tubes or small 

 boxes with cotton. 



Should they be large, wrap each one separately in 

 paper and pack them in a box with soft substance. 



It is useless to clean the very small species. 



Others, for their particular forms cannot be cleaned, 

 kill them and put them near an ant's nest ; if the ant's 

 come to them they will eat entirely the animals, and 

 the work will be done. 



If not, let them dry and pack them with care as the 

 others. 



Send a few specimens of each species in a bottle 

 with spirits to study the animals. 



SEEDS. 



Seeds of all trees, bushes, or plants belonging to 

 the country producing beautiful leaves or handsome 

 flowers are to be collected. 



They must be well ripe and dried in shade. 



Pack them in small bundles, each species sepa- 

 rately. 



CRUSTACE.E. 



Crabs, Prawns, Lobsters, etc., are Crustacese. 

 They must be sent in spirit as Reptiles. 

 Large species can be dried by sun and packed in 

 paper, but they are of less value than if sent in spirit, 



ARACHNIDES & MYRIAPODA. 



Spiders are Arachnides, Centipeds are Myriapoda ; 

 it is necessary to preserve and send them in very 

 strong spirit ; otherwise they dissolve in the voyage. 



To be continued. 



