HOW TO KNOW THE INSEQS 



parent paper Is used time may be saved in sorting the specimens. 

 Some collectors use small transparent envelopes. Each speclmien 

 has its own paper triangle and the locality and date of capture 

 should be recorded on the triangle. After the specimens are 

 papered they should be stored loosely in a small, tightly covered 

 box and disturbed as little as possible. For other Insects take 

 a stiff -v/alled small box with tight fitting cover. Cut a sheet 

 of glazed cotton wadding or cellucotton the length of the box and 

 twice its width. Cover the bottom of the box \'^'ith one thickness 

 of this material. Arrange a layer of Insects thinly on it. Write 

 the locality, date of collection and collector's nam.e on a small 

 piece of paper and put it am.ong the specimens. Fold the rem.ain- 

 der of the cellucotton over the specimens to cover themi. Con- 

 tinue with successive layers of insects between folds of the 

 packing material until the box is lightly filled. Do not pack 

 dovm or use a box more than two inches high. Cover tightly and 

 do not disturb until ready to mount. If the specimens are not to 

 be mounted while still fresh each box should have a liberal 

 sprinkling of paradichlorobenzene or naphthaline to keep out in- 

 sect pests. The boxes must also be kept away from. mice. Soxes 

 so flexible as to bend under outside pressure should not be used. 

 Specimens packed in this w^ay may be safely sent through the malls 

 or kept indefinitely if frequently fumigated to keep out Insect 

 pests. 



Large Insects should be partly dried before being packed and 

 should then have sufficient paclcing to absorb the remaining 

 moisture or they will decay or mold, 



RELAXING 



If the insects are not m.ounted rather promptly after catch- 

 ing they will need to be relaxed when one is ready to mount them. 

 Relaxing makes them pliable again so that legs and other parts 

 may be moved without breaking. For this, one needs a relaxing 

 jar or box, with a cover which is oractically air tight. It is 

 filled about an inch deep with sand. Enough T.'ater is added from 

 time to time to keep the sand filled with ^-rater. A few drops of 

 carbolic acid should be added to prevent molds from growing. The 

 sand is covered v/ith a piece of cardboard or wood. Take one or 

 more of the doubled sheets of cellucotton containing dried in- 

 sects or a number of the butterfly papers, handling them very 

 carefully, and put in the relaxer and cover tightly. In twelve 

 to twenty-four hours the moist air of the relaxer should have so 

 softened the insects that they may be handled without breaking. 

 The rate at which a relaxer v/orks depends upon the temperature of 

 the room, the size and nature of the specimens and other factors. 

 If it is found that they are still likely to break, return them 

 to the relaxer for another twelve hours. The specimens must be 

 viatched closely, however, for it ruins many Insects if they get 

 wet or too soft. Do not put more insects into the relaxer than 

 can be mounted at one time. 



NOTES 



The young collector should get the notebook habit early in 

 his entomological career. He will observe many things, if he 

 uses his eyes, which even mature scientists do not know. Writing 

 them down keeps such facts for future use and makes them more 

 reliable. It is v/ell to record weather and temperature at time 



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