56 
THE NATURALIST’S GUIDE. 
alcohol ; and as the collector will meet with specimens 
everywhere, he should never be without a phial ready for 
instant use. During spring and early summer thousands 
of minute species may be captured in the air with the 
net, especially just at night. During summer and autumn 
a great many nocturnal species may be captured near a 
light placed at an open window, or in the open air. Vari- 
ous species may be found feeding upon plants during the 
summer and autumn. A great many of the so-called car- 
rion-beetles may be taken, during the same seasons, by ex- 
posing the carcass of an animal. Some species inhabit 
decayed wood, where diligent search should be made for 
them, especially in the woods, under old stum]3S or in them. 
Numbers of very beautiful beetles may be found in the 
excrements of animals, and under them, also under stones 
and logs of wood ; they are found beneath the bark of trees 
and on sandy places, or in dusty roads. There are also a 
few aquatic species to be found in the water or near it. 
To mount large beetles, force the pin through the right 
wing-covert near the thorax, and place the point in the 
cork, with the beetle’s feet resting on it; place the feet 
in the attitude of life, with the antennae in the proper 
position, with a pin on each side of them to keep them 
in place until dry. If the wings are to be extended, - 
place the beetle on the pin as described; then, with an 
awl, bore a hole in the pine board ; lay the insect upon 
its back, with the head of the pin in the hole ; now open 
the wing-coverts, and spread the wings ; over the latter 
lay a piece of card-board, and fasten it by placing pins 
through it into the wood on each side. The wing-cov- 
erts should not be fastened with a card, as it will flatten 
them. When dry, remove the card, and the wings will 
retain their position, when the beetle can be put in the 
proper position in the insect-box. 
Smaller beetles, less than an eighth of an inch long. 
