METHOD OF RELAXING INSECT?. ^21 



Those known species that are subject to grease, should have the 

 contents of the abdomen taken out, and the cavitj' tilled with cotton. 



TuiciioPTERA, Neitroptera, Hymexoptera, and Diptera. — Most 

 of the Libellula require the contents of the abdomen to be taken out 

 when the insect is dead, as the body generally turns black within, a 

 few days after death, without this precaution : the cavity may be filled 

 up with a roll of white paper or cotton : I have found this method to 

 answer extremely well, and the colours are as brilliant as when the in- 

 sect was alive. The larger species are very powerful, and when col- 

 lected they must be transfixed through the side and placed in the 

 corked pocket-box; a brace or two should be placed across the wings, 

 to prevent their fluttering and breaking their wings or those of other 

 insects which may be near them. They may be killed by being plunged 

 in boiling water, or by a hot needle, as directed for Moths. The other 

 species of this Order not being so large soon die, as well as those of 

 the Orders Tric/iopfera, Ht/menoptera, and Dipfe?-a. They may be set by 

 braces and pins, as in pi. 11. Jig. 4. In some species of the Diptej-a the 

 colours of the body are very lively, but change after death ; in these 

 the colours may lie preserved if the contents of the abdomen be re 

 moved, and the cavity filled with a powder the colour of the living in- 

 sect. 



METHOD OF RELAXING INSECTS. 



It frequently occurs that insects become dead and stiff before the 

 Entomologist has an opportunity of setting or displaying their parts. 

 Coleoptera are easily relaxed by immersion in hot water; and in many 

 instances this way is to be preferred, as the parts become more pli- 

 able and are more easily set. — The OrtJioptei-a, Hemiptei-a, and Le- 

 pidoptern, must be fixed on a piece of cork, and placed in a pan 

 of water covered over; these, if the specimens arc large, will fre- 

 quently require two or three whole days before the wings will admit 

 of replacing without the risk of breaking ; care must be taken not to 

 force the wings, or any part in fact, until the parts are perfectly re- 

 laxed, when they may be displayed and kept so by braces, as directed 

 for recent specimens. Neuroptera, Hymenoptera, and Dipte?-o, may be 

 relaxed according to the latter method : but those insects that require 

 the contents of the abdomen to be removed, can never be altered, and 

 therefore must be preserved in a recent state, or their beauty is lost for 

 ever. 



