CHAPTER XXIV 



METHODS OF PRESERVING AND STUDYING INSECTS 



The work of the entomologist is only just begun when the insects 

 are collected. They must then be pinned, dried, and labeled, the 

 latter including the identification, which in itself is no little matter. 



Mounting insects. Insects should be mounted as soon as pos- 

 sible after being killed. AY hen it is impossible to mount them 

 immediately, put the insects in shallow pill boxes packed in tis- 

 sue paper, and set in a warm place to dry. When ready to mount, 

 remove the lid and place the box in a tight glass jar, together with 

 a sponge dipped in camphor water. The insects should be left in 

 this chamber for from 24 to 48 hours, when they can be mounted 

 as usual. 



Insects should be mounted on insect pins. These are made 

 especially for the purpose, are about an inch and a half in length, 

 and range in size from No. ooo, the most slender, up to No. 8, 

 which is 'the largest. Nos. I, 2, and 3, however, will do for nearly 



FIG. 478. Pinning forceps 



all purposes, with a few of No. 5 for the larger moths. No. 3 is 

 large enough for almost all larger insects, and insects too small for 

 No. i should be mounted on points. The pins may be obtained 

 in either the black japanned or the plain white metal ; the latter, 

 however, should be used only in mounting insects on points, as a 

 green verdigris is produced near the insect, which corrodes the pin. 

 The collector should be careful to have all the insects at the 

 same distance from the head of the pin ; this not only makes the 



343 



