42 
BRITISH BEETLES. 
net, especially if lined above the wires, and the butt 
of the sweeping-net may be used as a beating-stick : in 
this way beating, sweeping, and water-collecting may 
all be carried on at the same time ; if, however, the col- 
lector is making his expedition chiefly in search of 
water beetles, he should provide himself with a net 
shaped like the prawning-nets often seen at the sea- 
side, with a flat metal edge for scraping attached to a 
semicircular frame, the metal edge being bored with 
holes for the attachment of the net, which is joined to 
the frame and the flat scraper ; such a net is often 
indispensable for the capture of ffydrcence, Octhebii, 
and other Hydrophilidas which attach themselves closely 
to the moss, &c., at the sides of pools and ponds. 
A strong knife, with blade fixed to the handle, and 
canned in a sheath, for cutting tufts of grass, &c. 
A very stout steel “ pick ; ” or, if that cannot be 
got, a long and strong chisel — for ripping off bark 
and penetrating wood. If the collector really meditate 
doing any good with wood-feeding beetles, no weapon 
of attack is too large or strong. 
A sheet or two of stout brown paper, upon which 
tufts, &c., can be shaken. 
A square piece of mackintosh or India-rubber cloth, 
to kneel upon when working in wet places. 
A collecting bottle or two of stout clear glass, with 
no internal bottom elevation, and wide-inouthed. If 
one side be pasted over with paper, it considerably 
lessens the chance of fracture. It should have a good 
cork, which must be perforated by two or three inches 
of a wide quill ; this quill may project slightly below 
the lower end of the cork, and of course very much on 
its upper side, and may be kept tight by sealing-wax 
