The Delawarean., 1900-07-14

may be removed by the State Legis-
.ation ere long, but these are incidents
70 all school systems more or less, and
we must make the most of them until
compulsory education will remedy
them. The school system of Delaware
IS unfortunately below the standard
and should be raised by constant and
persistent effort of teacher patron and
legislator until we take rank with the
best. e. L. c.
An Insect Collection and How to
Make 1t.
has the collecting fever" The col
lection may consist of postage stamps,
stones, birds eggs, buttons. posters,
pictures, or what not, but it seems al
most instructive for them sooner or
later to have some hobby of the kind.
This is we'll; if properly guided the for
nation of almost any of these collec-
tlons may be the means of stimulating
and educating the young mind.
OF all subjects however, Insects are
probably the best for the teachers and
pupils devoted to nature study. Rocks,
minerals and fossils are possibly more
easily preserved, but they lack the life
which makes the flower, bird, or insect
much more interesting, and then they
are not everywhere to be found. In
sects, however, are everywhere abund-
ant and are much more easily and
satisfactorily preserved than birds or
flowers. Furthermore, THE lives and
habits of insects may be easily OBJ
served, are SO interesting and varied
and often show such high degree of
intelligence, that they are ever an en-
ticing subject for observation by the
collector. Inasmuch as the cultivation
Of the powers of observation and origi-
nal investigation. and securing the in
terest of the pupil in nature so that
every tree, flower bird, and bug be-
comes a familiar friend are the very
subjects of Nature Study, the insect
collection forms one of the most valu-
able aids in attaining these ends. Be
sure then that the collection is made
means TO an end and not the sole
object of the pupils efforts Many of
our most famous collections are little
better than misers. See to it that prop
er notes are taken upon the habits and
life of every specimen taken. What
does lit eat? Where was it found?
Into what does this caterpillar trans
form? and many other questions should
be answered by the collectors notes
whenever possible.
But" I hear someone say. 1T GER
-ainly is cruel to kill all of the beauti-
ful butterflies, and stick them up on
pins How would you like to be stuck
on pin?" | confess to no liking for
such treatment, but had l stolen as
much from the poor farmer as have
these same now beautiful butterflies,
when they were ugly young caterpil-
lars. | would most decidedly expect to
meet a similar fate. No, we must come
to learn that some of the most disa
greeable insects are most beneficial,
and the most beautiful. most harmful.
at different stages of their existence.
But aside from the mere utlitarian
standpoint, it is admitted by all that
tt,a 4 sn+a IN
insect life is far slower to destroy it,
and harmless life of any kind, than one
who fails to understand its true sig
nificance, and feels no friendship for
1t. The great naturalist is the last
man nthe world to tread on defense
less ant; the ignorant farmer is the
first.
Almost everything necessary for the
formation of a most interesting col
lection may be easily and cheaply made
at home. If funds are available some
of the supplies may be more profitably
purchased of dealers, among whom
are Kny-Scheerer Co., II Park Place,
New York. The American Entomology
cal Company. Brooklyn, Queen & Com
pany, Philadelphia.
THE INSECT NET.
Take piece of heavy telegraph wire
about 3 feet inches long and bend it
into a ring foot in diameter and with
about 3 inches of each end bent back
so as to fasten it to the handle. An
old broomstick makes first rate
handle Two sides of one end should
be cut fiat and the ends of the ring
firmly bound to it by wrapping with
copper wire. The ring should now be
Severed with "a double thickness of
heavy muslin. This should cover the
ring smoothly without gathering and
extend for an inch or two below the
ring. A bag of cheesecloth is now
made of the diameter of the ring, about
two feet deep, rounded at the bottom,
and sewed to the muslin which thus
prevents the net from wearing tout