XXIII 

 PRESERVING 



In alcohol. — The quickest way of disposing of insect 

 specimens, and one that gives good preservation as well, is 

 to put them at once in vials of alcohol (4-dram homeo vials 

 are perhaps the most generally useful). "Proof spirit" 

 (95%) diluted with one-fourth water will be about the right 

 strength: if undiluted, it hardens too much, making the 

 specimens brittle. This is perhaps the best way to preserve 

 larvae and soft-bodied insects. It is not suited to preserving 

 scaly insects, like butterflies; or hairy ones, like caddisflies; 

 or bristly two-winged flies; and all adult insects having suffi- 

 cient rigidity of body to keep a proper shape on drying are 

 ordinarily mounted on pins. Unfortunately alcohol spoils 

 the natural colors. 



Only the best quality of corks should be used in the vials, 

 for poor corks permit evaporation, and alcoholic specimens 

 allowed to become dry are well nigh worthless. Good corks 

 if not directly in contact with the alcohol will last for many 

 years. Racks that will keep the vials in proper erect position 

 may be quickly made in the shop.* Labels should be written 

 on strips of white paper with a soft lead pencil (writing ink 

 fades in alcohol) and placed inside the vials, with the writing 

 outward against the glass. They should read from the bottom 



* The specifications are: dimensions: 1" x 2" x 15"; the bottom, a 1* 

 wooden strip 15" long and \" thick ano 1 the ends two \\" pieces of the 

 same. When these are nailed together a piece of strawboard or binder's 

 board 2"xl5* is nailed to them for a back and a piece of celluloid 

 2" x 15" for a front. 



185 



