OF WASHINGTON. . 69 



the manner in which they were collected or the material used in 

 killing them. Dr. E. C. Van Dyke had mentioned to him the 

 inadvisability of collecting tiger beetles (Cicindelidae) in cyanide 

 bottles, as it makes them so brittle that they are easily broken 

 when handled, and said that it is much better to kill them in 

 alcohol. 



Mr. Currie exhibited a specimen of Bittacus chilensis 

 Blanchard, a Neuropteroid insect belonging to the family 

 PanorpidcE. This, with one other specimen of the same species, 

 is contained in the collection of insects from Chili donated to 

 the U. S. National Museum by Mr. E. C. Reed. Mr. Currie 

 stated that this is the largest species of the genus Bittacus of 

 which he has knowledge, and is of especial interest from the fact 

 that, as recorded by McLachlan,* Mr. Reed reported having found 

 it in caves, stating that in other situations it was rare. Dr. 

 Howard remarked that the specimen exhibited by Mr. Currie is 

 very probably the same species as that communicated to Mr. 

 McLachlan by Mr. Reed. Mr. Reed spent many years in Chili, 

 going first to Valparaiso, then to Santiago ; and finally, owing to 

 an attack of the coast fever, he had sought a still higher altitude 

 and gone to Banos cle Cauquenes, where the larger part of his 

 insect collection was made. Dr. Ashmead said that the Reed 

 collection of Chilian insects was a valuable one, and he was glad 

 that the Museum had come into the possession of it. 



Mr. Morris mentioned some plans for insect exhibit cases 

 that have recently been published in the Journal of Microscopy. 

 In the ensuing discussion of the subject of insect exhibit cases 

 and insect exhibits Dr. Howard said that, in his opinion, an ex 

 hibit of insects should not be exposed constantly to light, on 

 account of the rapid deterioration of specimens that always 

 results. The most ideal museum, he thought, was that of Dr. 

 A. B. Meyer, of Dresden. This is only open for two hours a 

 day, from 1 1 o'clock to i o'clock, and at other times curtains 

 are drawn so as to exclude the light. Insects should never re 

 main exposed to the direct rays of the sun. Dr. Gill said he 

 thought that rare species should not be put on exhibition, but 

 that an exhibit should be made up of common species and that 



*Ent. Monthly Mag., xxx, p. 39, 1894. 



