320 British Di'agonjiies. 



chloroform, \\hich may be dropped on the thorax. 

 Benzine is quickly effective, but that and chloroform 

 both make the insects stiff for a time, and for the 

 sake of the colours are not recommended. They may 

 then be pinned in the collecting-box, or folded in 

 papers, but not tightly enough to flatten the abdomen, 

 the paper packet being then pinned in the box.* 



In general, within an hour or so the insects must 

 be attended to, if they are to m.ake good cabinet 

 specimens, and here the Odonatist, unlike the collector 

 of the Lcpidoptcra, is confronted with a great difficult}- 

 — that of preserving the colours of his captures. Some 

 take no trouble at all about the matter, with the 

 result that, except for size and shape, many of their 

 insects present a uniform appearance — a dingy black- 

 brown hue replacing the gorgeous colouring of the 

 living insects ; and it must be confessed that, except in 

 a few species, in which the colours fade but little in 

 any case, the freshness and brightness of the original 

 tints will always depart to a great extent. But A\'ith 

 care and attention something may be done. 



If the insects are kept without food for a day or 

 two — a state of affairs to which the\^ must be accus- 

 tomed in dull weather— the intestines become practically 

 empty, and when they are killed there is little to 

 decompose, consequently the colours fade but little, for 



* Dr. Hageii recommends folding the Dragonflies alive in paper in this 

 way, and pinning the packet in the collecting-box. — " Eutom. Weekly 

 Intelligencer," vol. iv., p. 88. Mr. J. J. F. X. King suggests the use of 

 a circular tin box, in which the Dragonflies may be placed in layers. After 

 an insect has been killed, and its wings have been folded, it is placed in the 

 box and covered with a disc of paper ready cut : another Dragonfly is placed 

 on this, and then another sheet of paper, and so on, till the box is full. 



