1904] Nature Study — No. 17. 127 



These can, of course, be made in any size. The date, locality, 

 and name of collector should always be plainly written on each 

 envelope. 



Preserving Specimens. — When the specimen is removed from 

 the spreading board, a neat label, bearing- the localit}', date of 

 capture and name of collector should be put on each pin. Scien- 

 tifically, a specimen is regarded as useless if it has not this infor- 

 mation. If only a small collection is being made, mounted 

 specimens may be arranged in ordinary cigar boxes, or any other 

 kind of shallow box ; but it will be necessary to keep examining 

 these constantly, as they are not, as a rule, tight fitting, and 

 museum pests soon find their way into them and destroy the 

 specimens. Insect cases may be bought from dealers and, if 

 only a few are needed, probably would be cheaper in the end. 

 These are of various sizes, and are lined with sheet or pressed 

 cork, to receive the pins. The Schmitt case is recommended by 

 many and is used extensively in the United States. If it is the in- 

 tention to form a large collection of butterflies and moths, of 

 course, it would be better to have a cabinet made, containing a 

 dozen, or more, drawers, all similar in size and pattern. Most col- 

 lectors like to have a series of at least four specimens of one kind 

 of butterfly or moth. This is not always possible, as many are 

 too rare ; but of the available species it is advisable to have two 

 specimens of each sex, and also a specimen mounted so as to show 

 the underside. Some form of deterrent to museum pests, as 

 naphthaline or camphor, should be put in each case or box. A 

 simple way is to make small bags of cheesecloth and fill these 

 with ordinary flake naphthaline, pinning one in a corner of each 

 box. If at any time fine dust is noticed under a pinned specimen, 

 it is evidence that some pest is at work. In such cases a spoonful 

 of bisulphide of carbon, or benzine, should be ))oured into the box, 

 then the top closed quickly and left unopened for some hours. 



A pair of entomological forceps will be found very useful in 

 handling pinned specimens. 



Early Stages. — From a teacher's standpoint, collecting the 

 immature forms and keeping them under observation until maturity 

 will prove a most helpful way of arousing interest in insect 

 life. In the fall of the year cocoons of the Emperor Moths 



