746 Retrospective Criticism, 



The Preserving of Insects selected fur Cabinets, (p. 495. 683.) 

 — I am obliged to Mr. Waterton for his kind and early 

 attention (p. 683.) to my query (p. 495.) as to the best means 

 of preserving insects, but I am not yet quite satisfied ; for it 

 is against the decay of the specimens, as well as " the deadly 

 moth," that I am anxious to guard. Besides, I have found 

 that the solution cannot be applied to the outside of most 

 insects (especially Libellulae), without, in course of time, in- 

 juring their colours ; and to apply it to every part of their 

 inside is impossible. Mr. Waterton recommends to me 

 patience and perseverance : this and his further advice (and 

 no one can be more able or more willing to give it in this 

 matter) will, I hope, enable me to succeed. — i&. P. Sept, 8. 

 1832. 



On the Preserving of Insects selectedfor Cabinets, (p. 683.) — 

 Sir, In Mr. Waterton's valuable communication on the sub- 

 ject of " preserving insects selected for cabinets " (p. 683.), one 

 of the methods he recommends is that of poisoning the atmo- 

 sphere by means of spirits of turpentine, which may be put 

 into a glass inkstand containing a piece of sponge, and placed 

 in a corner of the box or drawer in which the specimens are 

 kept. It does not appear quite certain whether Mr. Waterton 

 recommends the above method on his own authority, after 

 having made the experiment, and found it answer ; for he says, 

 *' I am of opinion that the specimens will be safe," &c. ; and, 

 spirit of turpentine " is said to be the most pernicious of all 

 scents to insects." I should feel obliged to this gentleman if 

 he would have the kindness to reply, through your Magazine, 

 to the two following questions : — First, Whether he has 

 himself tried the experiment, and found spirits of turpentine 

 effectual in keeping away living insects from dead ones, 

 especially in expelling that worst of all pests, the A^cslyvxs 

 destructor? — and, secondly, whether he does not find the 

 spirit of turpentine to be itself prejudicial to the preserved 

 specimens ? My reason for thinking that it probably may be 

 so is, that I have heretofore had a collection of lepidopterous 

 insects that was kept in cedar drawers, entirely ruined, owing, 

 as I conceive, to the strong effluvia arising from that wood 

 (see p. 368.) : still more, therefore, should I apprehend the 

 same bad result from the use of spirit of turpentine. Cor- 

 rosive sublimate, I have no doubt, would be of the greatest 

 advantage in cases where it can be employed ; it will have 

 the effect of entirely preventing mould. I never open a fresh 

 bottle of ink without putting into it a very small quantity of 

 this poison. Should it be thought that this is a dangerous 

 plan to adopt, as many are in the habit of sucking their pens. 



