256 MR. A. J. T. JANSE 



overlap those of any other. I do not advise this method 

 for small specimens, as the risk of breaking off the 

 antennoB; etc.^ is too great. Large and small insects 

 should never be placed in the same box as if something 

 big comes loose it is almost sure to ruin all the contents. 

 When the bodies of insects are rather big and thick, it 

 is very desirable to place a little ball of wadding under- 

 neath the abdomen and put two pins cross-wise over this 

 part so that, if it comes oft, it will not move about and 

 ruin the other specimens. As long as medium sized and 

 small moths are firmly pinned in the cork-lining, there 

 is little risk with proper packing of them coming to 

 harm. Cigar boxes are frequently used for mailing in- 

 sects because they are so light; but they are hardly 

 strong enough and the lids are easily pressed in. 



, The bottom of the mailing box should be lined with 

 cork or cork-linoleum. This should be at least J-inch 

 thick, and care should be taken to glue it on securelj^. 

 The box containing the specimens should be placed inside 

 another box, large enough to allow two inches of space 

 all round to be not too tightly filled with rather fine 

 wood-wool. Unpinned specimens in paper envelopes may 

 be sent in any small, strong box, and will carry safely 

 if they are packed somewhat firmly with 'a little cottor. 

 wool. No outer box is required for this nor for the fol- 

 lowing mode of packing. 



During the last few years most of my correspondents 

 and I myself have used another method of packing un- 

 pinned insects. This, on the whole, answers very well, 

 and is certainly less troublesome. A small box, even ?, 

 matchbox will do^ is packed with layers of cotton -wool 

 ivJiich has a thin film (gum) on one side. The cotton- 

 wool is cut to the size of the bottom of the box In pack- 

 ing, a layer of cotton-wool ivith the film side doionwards 

 is placed in the box, and a series of moths laid out on 

 this in such a way that they do not touch. A second 

 layer ol cotton-wool is laid down and a second series of 

 moths spread over it. This process is repeated until the 



