COLLECTING AND PRESERVING INSECTS BANKS. 63 



9-VI-09. It is not advisable to write 9-6-09, for one will get con- 

 fused as to whether it is the 9th of June or the 6th of September. 

 It is not advisable to have a label of more than two lines. Some 

 entomologists, however, prefer to have the collector's name as the 

 third line of the locality label. 



The label should be pinned through the middle and a short dis- 

 tance below the specimen, so that it does not interfere with the legs. 

 The label with most insects should extend lengthwise with the insect , 

 but with those having the wings spread it is customary to have the 

 label extend with the wings. For double mounts or for specimens 

 glued on points, the label is commonly pinned through one end, so 

 that its main length is on the same side of the pin as the point or 

 piece of cork. 



Below the locality label there are often other labels bearing; the 

 name of the collection or collector, a sex label, and labels indicating 

 the circumstance of collecting. The latter, known as ecological 

 labels, are increasingly popular, and should be used wherever pos- 

 sible. Insects, such as bees, etc., taken from 

 flowers, should bear a label with the name of the 

 flower ; if taken at light, a label indicating that 

 fact, etc. All phytophagous species should bear wood^kwoodsJckwoodBJk 

 the name of the plant upon which captured. 

 Some of these labels, which will be useful in par- 

 ticular cases, are as follows: At sugar, at light, woo* 6 t<ikw, M d S t«kwo«ist«k 



' O 7 O 7 V» V. V.' 



electric light, twilight, sweeping herbage, from 

 foliage, under bark, in moss, in meadow, in 

 swamp, by stream, over pond, tree trunk, in FlG - no.— locality 

 fungi, sifting leaves, dead log, under stone, on 

 ground, etc. Anyone can readily think of many other ecological 

 labels which will be of value in his particular group. Many prefer 

 to have these labels printed in two lines, as are those of locality 

 and date. This may be accomplished by combining this label with 

 that of the collector. The value and interest of a collection is 

 vastly augmented by these ecological labels, and they are a good 

 guide for finding other specimens of the same species. For sex 

 labels the sign $ (Mars) is used for the male, and ? (Venus) for the 

 female, and ? for the workers or neuters. 



By practice one can learn to write a fair hand in minute letters, 

 so that written labels may take the place of the printed ones. In 

 writing labels one should have especially fine pens, drawing pens, 

 or crow quills, and use only india or waterproof ink. Good printed 

 labels, however, can be bought for about 25 cents a thousand. Never 

 put upon a pin a label so large that it requires to be folded, and always 



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