38 MR. A. J. T. JA^SSE : HOW TO COLLECT AND 



to an intelligent person neither in the preparation nor the 

 use of a killing-bottle ; but children should never be allowed 

 to prepare or possess one. 



AVhen prepared the bottle should be just damp enough to 

 cause the cyanide to liberate its poisonous gas, without being 

 too damp to atfect the colour of the specimens, as dampness 

 Jids a very had effect on the colour of most Lepidoptera and 

 numy other insects. 



The Killhu)-Box. — A killing-box will also be found very 

 useful in the field and can be prepared as shown in fig. 3. 



Pins. — There are different kinds and qualities of entomo- 

 logical pins and the best only should be used. The saving 

 eft'ected by using poor pins is very little, and it is a pity to 

 ruin a good specimen with a ))in that corrodes rapidly. The 

 best pin is certainly the " Genuine Klaeger^' stiff steel black 

 [)in. This seldom rusts and is better than the white pin on 

 account of its stiffness and thinness. If, however, a white pin 

 is preferred, the " Carlsbad '^ pin is the best of its kind. The 

 short pins commonly used in England are not recommended ; 

 they are mostly too short for collections in this climate. In 

 anv collection pins of an equal length should be used so that 

 small and large specimens may be all on the same level. 

 This not only gives uniformity and so improves the appearance 

 ot the collection, but it also provides for a close inspection of 

 all the insects at one and the same lime. The sizes 00 to 4 

 will be found the most useful. For very small moths, 

 however, even the thinnest pin is too thick and "Minutien^^ 

 pins must be used, as a thick pin often ruins a small specimen 

 and certainly does not imj)rove its appearance. 



Forceps — A pair of forceps is absolutely^ essential in 

 handling entomological ])ins, and most especially so when 

 such bear insects on them. Forceps lor this purpose should 

 be curved and broad, and ribbed on the inner side so as to 

 ol)tain a good grip on the pin. A pair of very finely pointed 

 forceps, with the weakest spring possible, is also necessary 

 for picking up specimens, a thing which should never be 

 done with the fingers. I always make my own, as I have 

 never yet been able to buy one in which the spring was 



