FIELD BOOK OF PONDS AND STREAMS 



of vial racks, most of them planned for storage on trays or 

 shelves of closets. Each bottle should have a label giving 

 the name or number of the specimens, the place and the date 

 where they were caught, and the collector's name. These 

 data may be written on regular labels or in soft pencil on a 

 slip of paper placed inside the vial with the writing turned 

 toward the glass; larger animals should have similar labels 

 of heavy paper tied to them. 



Some specimens are much better preserved by drying; 

 such are the adult dragonflies, beetles and the like which 

 can be stored: i, in cotton; 2, in "papers"; 3, mounted on 

 pins; or 4, arranged in "Riker boxes." 



I. — Layers of cotton are useful for temporary storage of 

 large lots of adult insects, especially those which have been 

 caught at one time or place. Fit a layer of glazed cotton 

 into a tin box, spread a layer of insects on it, then put in an- 

 other layer of glazed cotton. When the specimens are packed 

 put the cover on tightly to keep out the insect-eating pests; 

 label with the date and place of collection. 



Fig. 37. — Successive steps in folding a storage 

 envelope for insects. 



2. — Storage envelopes (Fig. 37) or "papers" are made by 

 folding pieces of paper of about postcard size. One or more 

 specimens are inclosed within these and the data written on 

 the outside. Insects stored like this may be "relaxed" 

 (p. 43) and mounted at any time; the envelopes should be 

 kept in tightly closed pest-proof boxes. 



3- — Mounting on pins (Fig. 38) is such a common method 



42 



