The Capture, Preparation, and Preservation of Specimens 



vided with circular openings of various sizes, into which the larval 

 skin is introduced (Fig. 63). 



" A less commendable method of preserving larvae is to place 

 them in alcohol. The larvae should be tied up in sacks of light 

 gauze netting, and a label of tough paper, with the date and 

 locality of capture, and the name, if known, written with a lead- 

 pencil, should be attached to each such little sack. Do not use 

 ink on labels to be immersed, but a hard lead-pencil. Alcoholic 

 specimens are liable to become shriveled and discolored, and 

 are not nearly as valuable as well-inflated and dried skins. 



FIG. 64. Drying-oven: a, sliding door; b, lid; 

 c, body of oven with glass sides ; d, opening for 



inserting inflating-tube ; e, copper bottom ; f t spirit- 

 lamp ; g } base (Riley). 



' When the skins have been inflated they may be mounted 

 readily by being placed upon wires wrapped with green silk, or 

 upon annealed aluminium wire. The wires are bent and twisted 

 together for a short distance and then made to diverge. The 

 diverging ends are pressed together, a little shellac is placed upon 

 their tips, and they are then inserted into the opening at the anal 



47 



