ON COMMEKCING A COLLECTION OF LEPIDOPTERA. 



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''Naturalist," old series, "Hints to Entomologists," by P. Rylands, Esq., 

 vol. iii., page 246.) Whatever you do mind to select perfect specimens; the 

 loss of an Antenna is a defect, and, remember, flies set awry, pins not put 

 in straight — all spoil the look of a cabinet. Now it is absolutely necessary 

 to possess a cabinet, or if the collector prefers some book-boxes to pre- 

 serve your flies in, the latter may be had to order of different dealers, 

 but I have an objection to them, they appear to me to look dark — to 

 cast a shadow on the flies. Perhaps those I have seen may have been 

 made too deep or heavy; however I prefer a cabinet; a small one will be 

 ample for a beginner, say thirty inches high, eighteen inches wide, and 

 twelve from front to back, there or thereabouts; this would contain twelve 

 drawers. Each drawer should be lined with cork, glazed, and neatly papered 

 white. Now such a cabinet might probably be obtained, second- hand, for 

 four or five pounds. The preferable way is at once to pin into your drawers 

 Doubleday's names in order as arranged by him, neatly cut out, and leaving 

 between each a space for two or more specimens; and as so small a cabinet 

 will not hold all the British species, the more rare ones may (if purchasing 

 be not intended) for the present be omitted. Your drawers should be 

 divided with fine pencilled lines, according to the size of the different spceies, 

 and each specimen should be placed exactly one below the other, as here 

 indicated; the slightest irregularity spoils the look of a collection. Keep 



!" SPHINGES I 





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your cabinet in a dry place, and let each drawer and every box you have 

 be supplied with a lump of camphor, for the sake of preservation; thus 

 armed you may commence your campaign as soon as you have leisure. 



