WINTER MEETING, 1879. 



45 



SPREADIisG BOARD. 



The bottom of the boxes should be lined with cork or corn pith, to receive 

 and hold tlie pins. If the latter is used, it should be boiled in water for a 

 time, that the pins may not corrode. The boxes will look better if the cork 

 or pith is covered with clean white paper. Two sheets of lieavy white paper, 

 spread upon a frame just large enough to pass closely into the box, one held 

 one-quarter inch, and the other one-half inch from the Ijottom of the box 

 serve well to hold the insects, especially if the bottom of the box is of very soft 

 "wood, which will receive the points of the pins. In pinning insects, lieavy 

 forceps, either straight or bent. Fig. 12, are very desirable. Insects in boxes 

 must be kept from the mice and carefully guarded from moths and other 

 insects. These latter are the greatest pests of the cabinet, and can only be 

 kept from doing serious mischief by the most active vigilance on the part of 

 the entomologist. Rectified benzine will destroy these museum pests, and not 

 harm the specimens. It is better to exercise so much caution tliat we shall be 

 free from these ruthless destroyers. Very close boxes or cases, wliich are 

 never to be left unclosed, and the jolacing of all new insects in quarantine boxes 

 before putting them into the cabinet, are among the safeguards. 



Larval insects may be kept in alcohol, or, to 

 better preserve their color, in benzine. If it is 

 desired to pin the larvJB in the cabinet, we may I 

 prepare them for it by enlarging the anal opening' 

 and carefully pressing out through this the entire 

 viscera. We may distend the body properly by 

 blowing in air through a straw, and while still 

 blowing, bake the body in a small tin oven well 

 heated with a lamp. AVith the proper care the 

 specimens may often be saved by this method, so 

 as to represent the living appearance almost per- 

 fectly. 



The enterprising collector will not be satisfied to 

 collect and preserve and go no further, but will desire 

 to watch the marvelous changes presented by insects 

 during their development, and so will desire to rear 

 insects, and for this purpose will need a breeding 

 cage. Here he will collect the various parasitic 

 species. A glass can, covered with wire cloth, will 

 answer for a cheap breeding cage. A box, one foot 

 each way, with one side glass and one side fine wire 

 cloth, will be better. Or he may liave a neat wal- 

 nut case. Fig. 13, with a glass door, and gauze 

 back and ends. The writer's case consists of several such apartments, separ- 

 ated by wire gauze partitions. Eartli in the bottom of a breeding apartment 

 will serve to hold the food plants, and will offer the insects an opportunit}', if 

 they pupate beneatli the ground. Larvae that feed on leaves ought to be fed of- 

 ten with fresh food, which is all the more acceptable to the insects if it is dipped 



rixxixG Forceps.— Fig 



