14 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



specimen was obtained, nor does he say anything of the ^ , which differs 

 considerably from the 5 . 



I have also bred numerous specimens of the Chalcid Eurytoma 

 aulacis, Ashm.; and I have reared two species of Coleoptera, probably 

 accidental occupants, and many specimens of a Dipteron which Prof. 

 Riley has kindly determined for me as of the genus Leucopis, sp. I am 

 greatly indebted to the courtesy of Prof. Riley for this and many other 

 identifications. 



ENTOMOLOGY FOR BEGINNERS— No. i. 



NOTES ON KILLING, PRESERVING AND RELAXING INSECTS. 

 BY JAMES FLETCHER, OTTAWA. 



The editor informs me that he wishes to publish in this year's volume 

 of the Canadian Entomologist several short articles for the benefit of 

 beginners and many others, who, although they do not aspire to being 

 considered entomologists, yet would like to know something about our 

 common insects, and the best way to preserve such interesting specimens 

 as may chance to come in their way, until they may have an opportunity 

 of mounting them for their own collections or giving them to interested 

 friends. I have been asked to send some notes on the above subject. 



There is perhaps no statement more frequently made to entomologists 

 by observant travellers, or those who live in localities far removed from 

 civilization, than " Oh 1 I wish you had been with me, I so often saw 

 lovely insects ; but I did not know how to save them for you." From 

 novices the enquiry often comes, " What is the best way to relax speci- 

 mens after they have become dry." 



Killing and Frese?-ving. — Having collected a specimen the first thing, 

 of course, is to kill it. For beetles and hard-bodied insects nothing is 

 simpler than to drop them for a second or two into scalding water ; they 

 must be taken out again at once and dried on blotting paper, or upon a 

 cloth. The easiest way, however, for killing all insects is to make a 

 " cyanide bottle." This may be made either by placing a small quantity 

 of cyanide of potassium in the bottom of a wide-mouthed bottle and 

 pouring in sufficient wet plaster-of-paris to cover it ; or a hole can be 

 hollowed out in the cork and a piece of cyanide inserted. This can be 

 kept in place either with a plug of cotton wool, or a piece of chamois 



