METHOD OF COLLECTING INSECTS. 
313 
is well known, and is but a short distance from the metropolis of Lon- 
don : but the inconsiderate game-keepers will frequently interrupt and 
Wa rn the unoffending Entomologist to quit the wood immediately, not 
blowing that ours 
“ is untax’d and undisputed game.” 
Heaths and Commons. — Many insects are confined to these situ- 
ations, not only on account of plants which grow in no other places, 
tut by the cattle and their dung, in the latter ol which many thousands 
of insects may be found in a single day in the months ol April and 
May ; these are principally of the Coleoptera Order. 
The principal commons near London are Wandsworth and Wimble- 
don in Surrey; Epping Forest; Lessness Heath, Frith, and Tlcxlcy in 
Kent : a great many ponds are in those places, which produce many 
Wry local insects. 
Sand-Pits, — The largest sand-pit 1 am acquainted w-ith is at Charl- 
fon, near the seven mite-stone, on the lower road to Woolwich. In 
this pit I have met with the following rare insects, Copris lunarius, No- 
nius monoceros, Lixus sukirostris, <$-c. Minute insects are very abun- 
dant; the roots of grass, at which the latter are found, should be care- 
fully examined : an Entomologist may find full employment for a 
V/ hole day at this place. There are also several sand-pits on Hamp- 
stead Heath. 
Meadows, Maesiies, and Ponds.— In meadows, when the Ranun- 
Culi or butter-cups are in blossom, many Musca: and Dipterous insects 
a re found : die flags or rushes arc die habitations of Cussida, Donaciu , 
4'c. The drills in marshes should he examined, as many species of in- 
sects are found on the long grass, as also the larva of several Lepidoptera. 
Neuroptera are generally confined to these situations, especially it any 
hedges or trees are near the spot, f have collected in die marshes of 
f'laistow, West-Ham, Barking, Hackney, and Battersea, with much 
Access. Ponds afford to die lover of the microscope an infinite num- 
ber of highly interesting objects, that are best obtained by means of 
the landing-net, which for this purpose need not he so long as repre- 
sented in pi. 11. fig. A. and should be made of strong cloth, but suffi- 
c ientlyopen to allow the water to escape. T he mud w hich is brought 
U P from the bottom of the ponds should be examined, and what small 
insects are found may he put in a small phial filled with water, 
"'hich will not only clean them hut keep them alive; and in many in- 
stances, upon a close examination, the Naturalist will be surprised at 
these the most wonderful productions of Nature. To die Entomologist 
this mode of collecting will be equally advantageous, as he will obtain 
many species of Dyticid/e,Notonectida, SfC. 
Moss, Decayed Trees, Roots of Grass, &c. — Many insects will be 
