CHAPTER III. 
COLLECTING AND PRESERVING INSECTS FOR THE CABINET. 
This interesting class of animals has for a long time 
engaged the attention of students, yet it is surprising how 
comparatively little has been written about those of Amer- 
ica. The almost infinite number of species still affords 
the young naturalist a wide field for careful investigation. 
In collecting insects, the instruments used are : An insect- 
net, made of fine muslin or of silk gauze, and stretched 
upon a light steel wire frame, with a light handle, about 
four feet long, attached ; several wide-mouthed bottles and 
phials filled with strong alcohol ; insect-pins of the best 
quality, which can be procured at natural-history stores; 
tweezers smaller than those used for birds (Plate I. Fig. 3); 
also, a small pair of pliers (Fig. 1) ; several soft-pine boards 
about twelve by twenty-four inches, planed perfectly smooth, 
will also be needed. 
Boxes or drawers are necessary for the reception of the 
dried specimens, lined with thick felting or cork to receive 
'the point of the pin that holds the insect and keeps it 
upright. An excellent box lined with paper is sometimes 
used to advantage, a description of which may be found in 
the ^‘American Naturalist,” Vol. I. p. 156. 
I hardly need state that a good microscope is indispensa- 
ble in prosecuting the study of insects, although it may be 
commenced without one. I shall take each order of insects 
separately, and endeavor to explain how they are collected 
and preserved, commencing with the 
Beetles^ or Coleoptera. — T\ie best way to preserve bee- 
tles temporarily is by putting them instantly into strong 
