7 



taining a piece of rag soaked with benzoline, which kill the specimens very 

 quickly and keeps them relaxed. 



(3.) Tor the reception of any specimens which require special care, either 

 from their scarcity or variation, I usually carry a small box into which is 

 fitted by loops of elastic a number (a dozen or so) of very small vials, very 

 difficult to obtain, unless you purchase them at a homoeopathic chemist's. 



(4.) An umbrella, which is usually of most service on a fine hot day, 

 that service being to beat trees and bushes into. Umbrella nets are sold for 

 this purpose, but a great disadvantage of these is that on a wet day one 

 appears to be carrying an umbrella in its case for fear of getting it wet. 



(5.) An iron ring net with a ferrule or other arrangement for facilitating 

 its being attached to the end of a walking stick. The ring may be jointed 

 so that when not in use it may be folded up and put into the pocket. 1 

 used to have my sweeping and water nets made with a broad hem round the 

 top through which the ring would pass, but I found that the wear and tear 

 of brushing herbage, &c, used to wear these through in a short time. I then 

 adopted, and with perfect success, a plan suggested, I believe, by the Rev. 

 W. W. Fowler, in the Entomologist, viz. that of having a number of brass 

 curtain rings, about three-quarters of an inch in diameter, sewn round the 

 edge of each net, and the ring passes through these with facility. The 

 material of the two nets — both of which fit the same ring, and can be changed 

 quickly if necessary — is strong grey calico for the sweeping net, and a strong 

 but open " bunting 33 for the water net. 



This, with the addition at times, of a strong but light chisel for ripping 

 off bark is all the apparatus that is necessary, and armed with some or all 

 of these we may turn our attention to the byeways and hedges nearest our 

 homes. Beetles as said before are everywhere. Turn over all the stones you 

 see lying by the roadside, especially if surrounded by grass, and while you 

 may often see specimens scuttling away amidst the grass stalks below the 

 stone, and quite as often mistake a worm that has quickly popped into a hole 

 for a beetle, you must never omit to look on that portion of the stone which 

 has been lying on the ground, for here very often better beetles will be found. 

 Open your umbrella, and holding it under trees or hedges, give them a smart 

 shake, or a slight threshing with a hedge stake, and among the omnium 

 gatherum which tumble into the umbrella you will be certain to find that 

 beetles have a place. Roadside herbage, especially cruciferous plants such 

 as the common wild mustard {Sisymbrium officinalis), and nettles are usually 

 very productive of beetles, nearly all being, however, weevils. Thus then 

 beating the trees and sweeping any coarse herbage — and especially is sweep- 

 ing useful at night time — we proceed on our way, not forgetting, if the sun 



