68 THREE KINGDOMS. 



But, after having tried many methods, I have been 

 best pleased with the appearance of insects that I have 

 set up on separate papered blocks of wood, such as 

 are used for minerals. Indeed, I know of no way of 

 showing any of the smaller specimens, such as shells, 

 bird's-eggs, insects, and fossils, to so good advantage 

 as to set each by itself on a white block of suitable 

 size. 



I will add for the benefit of our young entomologists 

 a few hints on methods of observation furnished by 

 Prof. G. Howard Parker, of Cambridge, and Prof. Asa 

 Packard, Jr., of Providence. Every naturalist should 

 have a pocket note-book always with him, and make 

 careful entries of such points as are here indicated. 

 Suppose, for example, you take first, butterflies and 

 moths. It would be an excellent plan to prepare a 

 paper, in which you might : 



1. Give a brief but clear description of the order (Lepidopterci). 



2. Give a careful report of your own observations on any one 

 species of the order. In this report should be included : 



A. Description of the insect, accurate as may be, and, if possi- 

 ble, accompanied by drawings, however rude. 



[This description should be made as follows : 



a. If a moth or butterfly, note : ist. The form of the anlen- 

 n<z, whether pectinated or simply hairy, or spindle-shaped. 2d. 

 The form and size of palpi, and length of tongue. 3d. Wings : 

 First pair, form, shape of costal, apex, outer-edge veins. Second 

 pair, same. 4th. Markings on wings. 5th. Feet, spurs. 



b. If a caterpillar, note : ist. Form of head, wider or narrower 

 than segment next. 2d. Dorsal, subdorsal, and lateral stripes. 

 3d. Position of tubercles, warts or spines, and spots. 4th. Spirac- 

 ular line. 5th. Supra-anal plate ; its form and markings. 6th. 

 Number of abdominal legs, and form of last pair. 



c. Difference in coloration of the sexes ; varieties observed ; 

 probable cause of such variation, such as differences of food, 

 location, and time of year.] 



