236 ELEMKXTAKY STUDIES IX IXSKCT LIFE 



study of insects, several sheets of cork or large blocks 

 to which a layer of corn pith has been glued will prove 

 valuable. These will hold the specimens while being 

 mounted, transferred, or studied. 



Relaxing Insects. -Frequently it is desired to spread 

 or pin insects which are rigid. These can be relaxed. 

 A vessel half filled with sand saturated with water, then 

 closely covered, will furnish a moist chamber. In this 

 upon heavy blotting-paper place the insects to be re- 

 laxed. Allow to remain from one to three days. They 

 must not remain too long, else mold will destroy them. 

 A few drops of carbolic acid will retard the growth of 

 mold. When the insects have become relaxed they 

 can be handled as readily as when captured. 



Mailing Insects. Students, too, will frequently find 

 it desirable to mail insects in exchange for others, or in 

 order to secure proper identification. This is fre- 

 quently done. Many exchanges are conducted by mail, 

 and many insects are sent to proper authorities for de- 

 termination. Pinned insects must be firmly pinned in 

 a box having a sheet of cork securely fastened to the 

 bottom. The box must be tightly covered and wrapped 

 loosely, first with cotton and then with excelsior. A 

 heavy paper should cover all. The excelsior and cotton 

 are to modify the jars and shocks which the package will 

 receive in transit. Specimens in preserving-fluid can be 

 mailed in a regular mailing-case made for the purpose. 

 A cylindrical piece of soft wood can be bored out to 

 accommodate a fair-sized vial well wrapped in cotton. 

 This closed with cork of required size, serves the pur- 

 pose very well. 



Various means and devices will occur to the ingen- 



