INSTRUMENTS, ETC., REQUIRED. 
43 
round its insertion. Through the quill a soft wooden 
plug is passed, not reaching below the lower end, and 
having a knob at the top, which can be seized in the 
teeth when both hands are occupied : specimens can 
then be bottled without the risk of losing those already 
captured ; and it is best to give the quill a tap before 
withdrawing the plug, so as to dislodge any would-be 
fugitives. The safest way in taking small insects is to 
touch them with a wet finger, transfer them to the 
back of the hand, and get the mouth of the quill 
(which may be cut obliquely) over them while they 
are drying their legs, & c. One bottle of the sort 
above mentioned should have blotting-paper or a 
piece of muslin put into it, so as to afford foot-hold 
and hiding places for the captives; if this be done, 
they will seldom attack each other. Another and 
rather larger bottle should be also taken ; this should 
be half filled with the bruised and cut-up leaves of the 
young shoots of the laurel, which will almost instantly 
kill most of the larger and more rapacious species. 
Great caution must be taken in collecting, for any of 
the Adephaga, or larger Brachelytra, or Telephori, if 
put into the bottle without laurel, would maim or 
destroy all its other occupants. Both bottles are best 
secured by fastening one end of a long piece of string 
round their necks, and tying the other to the button- 
hole of the coat. Collectors usually also take with 
them one or two strong little test-tubes, with corks 
fitted, in which to place any very choice captures. 
A depot of the above-mentioned laurel leaves should 
be kept in a wide-mouthed tightly corked bottle, or 
earthenware jar, or in a tin canister, into which the 
beetles are put, after being killed, on returning from 
