MANXES OP COLLECTING ANIMALS. 91 



rare insects. Minute species arc found abundantly at the roots of 

 grass. 



Meadows, Marshes and Ponds. — In meadows, when the 

 Ranunculi or butter-cups, are in blossom, many Muzccb and Dip- 

 terous insects generally abound. The flag-rushes are the habita- 

 tions of Cassida, Donacina and others. Drills in marshes should 

 be examined, as many species of insects arc found on long grass. 

 The larvae of various Lepidpptcra and Neuroptera arc confined to 

 these situations, more especially if hedges and trees are near the 

 spot. Ponds are rich in microscopic insects. These are obtained 

 by means of the landing net, which, for this purpose, need not be 

 go long as represented in fig. 1, and should be made of pretty 

 thick cotton cloth, but sufficiently thin to allow the water to es- 

 cape. The mud, which is brought up from the bottom of ponds 

 and ditches, should be examined, and what small insects arc found 

 may be put in a small phial filled with water, which will not only 

 clean them, but keep them alive ; and in many instances the 

 naturalist will be surprised, upon the examination of these, the 

 most wonderful productions of nature. 



Moss, Decayed Trees, Roots of Grass, &c. — Many insects 

 will be found in moss and under it ; the roots and wood of de- 

 cayed trees afford nourishment and a habitation to a number of 

 insects ; many of the larvse of Lepidoptera penetrate the trunks of 

 trees in all directions ; most of the Cerambyces feed on wood, as 

 well as some species of Cardbidaz Elateridce, &c. In seeking for 

 these, it is necessary to use the digger. It is sometimes requisite 

 to dig six or seven inches into the wood before they are found. 



Banks op Ponds and Roots of Grass. — These are a never- 

 failing source of collecting, which may be followed at all seasons 

 of the year, and in general with great success; those banks are to 

 be preferred which have the morning or noon-day sun. 



Banks of Rivers, Sandy Sea Shore, &c— These situations 

 afford a great variety of Coleoptera, Crustacea, &c. The dead car- 

 cases of animals thrown on the shore should be examined, as 

 they are the receptacles and food of Silphiodce J Staphilinid& y &c. 

 May and June are the best seasons for collecting these insects. 



Dead Animals, and Dried Bones, should be constantly ex- 

 amined, for these are the natural habitats of several insects. It 



