artistic
minds, whose very nature it is to appreciate to the full the perfections
set forth in a butterfly, admiring--

"The velvet nap which on his wings doth lie,
The silken down with which his back is dight,
His broad outstretched horns, his airy thigh,
His glorious colours and his glistening eye."
SPENSER.

* * * * *

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CHAPTER IV.

BUTTERFLIES IN THE CABINET--HOW TO CATCH THEM--APPARATUS--GOING
OUT--WEATHER--LOCALITIES--LOCAL BUTTERFLIES--INCOGNITOS--FIELD
WORK--FAVOURITE STATIONS--BEWARE OF THE BRAMBLE.

The mention of butterflies "in the cabinet" leads at once to the question,
how to get them there; or, in other words, HOW TO CATCH A BUTTERFLY.

This is a question often less difficult to answer in words than in action,
for many of our butterflies are gifted not only with strong prejudices
against the inside of a net, but with very strong powers of escaping from
that unpleasant situation. Still, by aid of proper apparatus, a sure eye
and hand, and often, of a good pair of legs, there is no butterfly, however
fleet and wary, that we may not feel ourselves a tolerable match for.

Firstly, then, as to the out-door apparatus required.

This is simple enough, a _net_ and _pocket-boxes_, with a few _pins_, being
the only essentials.[6]

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Variously constructed nets are used, according to fancy, but the choice may
lie between two chief forms: the _Clap-net_ and the _Ring-net_.

[Illustration]

The former certainly gives more power in a fair chase, but the latter has
the advantage of being the {41} lighter, more portable, and less
conspicuous of the two. Both of these instruments are shown in the
accompanying figures.

The clap-net (fig. 1) usually has the sticks that compose the framework
made each in three separate pieces, joined by ferrules--a couple of light
fishing-rods will do excellently, a piece of bent cane being substituted
for the top joint. The manner in which the gauze is extended between, and
fitted on, these rods will be sufficiently obvious on looking at the cut,
which represents the net half open. In taking an insect, one handle is held
in each hand, the net opened wide, and thrown over, or made to intercept
the insect, when, by suddenly closing the handles together, a closed bag is
made, and the little prisoner is secured.

[Illustration]

The ring-net (fig. 2), which is the implement most g