This class is subject to infinite variety, according to climate and
soil. The entomologist, or the mere collector, must not confine himself
to those whose beauty of coloring renders them attractive, but collect
all that come in the way. Those species which have wings, and fly around
plants, we take by means of gauze nets, and also those which swim in the
water. Those which live on putrid substances, and such as are
disagreeable to the touch, are seized with pincers; they are first put
into camphorated spirits to render them clean. Trees are the habitations
of innumerable insects; many of them skulk under the old rotten bark,
and others attach themselves to the foliage. A cloth should be spread
under the trees, or an umbrella, and the branches shaken with
considerable force, when they will fall down, and may then be caught.
Insects are killed by making a crow-quill into a long point and dipping
it into prussic acid; an incision with it may be made immediately below
the head of the insect betwixt the shoulders, which usually produces
instant death. But this acid must be used with much caution, because its
effects are almost as instantaneous and fatal in the human subject as in
the lower animals. When cork cannot be had for lining the bottoms of the
boxes, a layer of beeswax may be used in its stead. The pin should be
deeply sunk in this substance, as it is more liable to loosen than when
in cork.
It is of much importance to procure the caterpillar as well as the
insect, and, in this case, some of the leaves on which it feeds should
be placed in a box beside it, so that it may reach maturity. A small
perforation should be made in the box for the admission of air.
Every kind of insect, except butterflies, sphinges, and moths, may be
preserved in bottles of spirits, which will not injure them; when they
are taken out they are immediately placed in the position in which it is
wished to preserve them, and they are then allowed to dry. Another mode
of preserving coleopterous insects, such as beetles, etc., is to put
them in a dry box amongst fine sand. A row of insects is placed in a
layer of sand, and then a new layer of about an inch in depth laid on
the top, and so on till the box is filled. This mode of packing will
not, however, do with soft insects and those having fine wings.
It is extremely desirable that all the different kinds of Spiders should
be caught, particularly those said to be venomous; also termites, or
white ants, the different scolopendra, and gaily worms, etc. The nests
of spiders and other insects should also be sent home; in short, every
insect which is remarkable, in any way, either for its history or
properties.
It is also of much importance to bring specimens of the plants on which
they feed; these should be dried, and their localities marked, the kind
of soil on which they grow, and the situations, whether moist or dry,
should be noted.