3 12 
METHOD OF COLLECTING INSECTS. 
If a sufficient quantity of camphor is not constantly kept in the 
drawers, the insects will soon be destroyed by mites ; where these exist, 
they are easily discerned by the dust which is under the insects : cani- 
phor must be immediately put in the drawers, and the insects taken out, 
(the dust being brushed off by a fine soft camel’s hair pencil) and 
baked by the fire; care must be had that too great a heat is not applied, 
as it will utterly destroy the specimen. 
Store Boxes.— The neatest method for these is to make them about 
a toot square, the top and bottom about two inches deep, on the prim 
aple of back-gammon boards; the inside must be lined with cork, 
and, it with a hinge and neatly covered with paper or painted, they may 
be kept very conveniently on a shelf in an upright position like books, 
and lettered accordingly, 
METHOD OF COLLECTING INSECTS. 
Insects are so various in their habits that they may be found in 
every part of the world, at all seasons of the year, and in every situ- 
ation. As some parts are more congenial to their nature than others, 
I shall state the best methods of searching in those places which in 
general are the most profitable to the Entomologist. 
Woods, Hedges, and Lanes.— These situations produce by far the 
greatest portion of insects. In woods, the Entomologist must heat the 
branches of the trees into his folding net, and must select for this pur- 
pose open paths, the skirts, &c. The trunks of trees, gates, and felled 
timber, should be carefully examined, as many of the Lepidoptera 
and Coleopterous insects are found in no other situations. Many rare 
and very beautiful insects arc found in the hedges, in lanes, as also in 
the nettles, &c. which grow under them : these should be well beat, 
especially when the white thorn is in bloom in the months of May and 
June. Should the reader collect only for the microscope, he need not 
go to the trouble or expense of a net, as an open umbrella inverted will 
answer his purpose Hedges in dusty roads are seldom productive.- 
The principal woods near London, and the most frequented by Ento- 
mologists, are Coombe Wood and Norwood in Surrey,— Birch Wood, 
Darent Wood, and woods round Bexley in Kent. Coombe Wood has 
long been celebrated for the great variety of insects which it produces. 
Birch Wood is on the Maidstone road, and is of great extent : near the 
14-mile stone on this road is a large chalk-pit in which many rare insects 
are to be obtained. Bexley, a small village, lies between Crayford and 
Loot s Cray. In these woods I have collected with great success : neat 
t e village is a large sand-pit which produces an immense number of 
coleopterous and Ilymenopterous insects. There are also some very 
rural lanes round the village which produce a great variety of insects t 
in the rivers and brooks I have taken many rare aquatics. Norwood 
