COLLECTING INSECTS. 
59 
Staging .—This is a very convenient method of dealing 
with small insects, for which a very fine pin is used. The 
insect is pinned in the usual way, and the pin is passed 
through one end of a narrow strip of card, cork, or 
pith, and a strong full-length pin through the other end 
of the strip. In this way the smaller insects can be 
kept at the same level as the larger ones, and there 
is plenty of room on the longer pin for labels. A very 
suitable material for staging is a fungus called Polyporus, 
which is cut into strips and sold for the purpose by 
staging, dealers. 
Carding .—Small Coleoptera, ITemiptera, and some 
other insects are most easily mounted by being gummed 
on card. The card should only be sufficiently large to 
carry the specimen safely, with just room to take hold 
of the pin without risk of touching the insect. But 
a better way is to place the insect across a very narrow 
strip of card. This, although not quite so safe, has the 
advantage of allowing some of the under side of the 
insect to be seen. The specimen should always be on 
the left hand of the pin when the head is turned from 
the operator. 
Habits. 
Notes on the habits of insects, number of broods, whether 
common or otherwise, if taken singly or paired, are always of 
interest. 
Nests, cocoons, and galls are of very small value, unless ac¬ 
companied by the insect which constructs or causes them. 
In collecting Termites, the kind of nest they were taken from 
should be noted, or photographs of the nest taken. Termites’ nests 
with the specimens are much wanted. Specimens taken from one 
nest should be kept together, either in a tube or tied in a muslin 
bag. The same precaution should be taken with regard to the true 
ants (Formicidai). 
