_The Hymenoptera_, including the Bees, Wasps, Ants, Saw Flies, Gall
Flies, Ichneumon Flies, and their allies.
_The Neuroptera_, including the Dragon Flies, Day Flies, Lacewing
Flies, Stone Flies, Caddis Flies, and their allies.
_The Orthoptera_, including the Grasshoppers, Locusts, Crickets,
Cockroaches, Earwigs, and their allies.
_The Hemiptera_, including the Bugs, Skaters, Lantern Flies, Frog
Hoppers, Aphides, and their allies.
_The Diptera_, including the Gnats, Midges, Crane Flies, Hawk Flies,
Bee Flies, Breeze Flies, Bot Flies, and their allies.
[Illustration: Fig. 1.--Hoplistomerus Serripes.]
[Illustration: Fig. 2.--Ledra Aurita (Mag.)]
The number of insects is so large (about 13,000 different kinds are
found in our own country alone) that it will be found impossible
by any one to collect the whole at once; and to study them all is
completely out of the question. A single insect, indeed, is ample to
occupy a whole lifetime in the elucidation of its life history. Most
persons, when they commence to study insects, collect indiscriminately
everything which comes in their way; but they soon find the subject
too immense for them to grasp as a whole, and they either give up
collecting altogether, or else confine their attention to a single
group or order of insects. We would recommend every young person to
make up his mind at the first which group or groups of insects he
has a special fondness or liking for. Having done so, he will require
to know the best means of attaining his object--namely, the formation
of a collection. A few hints, therefore, as to the mode of collecting
and preserving insects in general may be of assistance to the young
collector.
[Illustration: Fig. 3.--Aphæna Amabilis.]
First of all, as to the apparatus necessary for collecting insects.
This will be found very simple and inexpensive. A butterfly net is,
perhaps, the most useful requisite. An ordinary cane-gauze net will do
well. A good stock of chip pill-boxes will also be needed. These can
be purchased from the shop of any Natural History dealer at about 3_d._
per dozen, nested (in four sizes).
[Illustration: Fig. 4.--Orthesia Urticæ (Mag.)]
For collecting aquatic insects and their _larvæ_ we shall require a
water net, made of fine zinc-gauze, about six inches in diameter, to
group about among stones and other rubbish at the bottom of pools and
ditches. This instrument should be made so as to slip on and off a
walking-stick when required.
A killing bottle charged with cyanide of potassium or with chopped
laurel leaves completes the outfit.
Little need be said as regards the mode of collecting insects, as their
habits may be gathered from the following pages.
They may be found almost everywhere, in woods, fields, gardens, in
pools, ditches, canals, and rivers, under dead leaves and the bark of
trees, among moss and stones, etc., etc. They may also be found at all
times of the year; even in the depth of winter some species may be met
with.
Most insects may be preserved in the same manner as Butterflies and
Moths. They should be set on flat setting-boards, and left to dry
thoroughly before being removed.
The smaller species may be gummed to cardboard in a similar way to
Beetles.
In the arrangement of the insects in the cabinet the classification and
order given in these pages may be followed. About half-a-dozen of each
species will be found a convenient number to collect.