No. 39] ODONATA OF CONNECTICUT 33 



and butterflies is convenient. The length of time required to 

 thoroughly fix the wings depends upon the size of the specimens 

 and the place where they are kept ; but the process may be hastened 

 by placing in an oven and heating gently. If heat is not applied, 

 at least two weeks should be allowed for the specimen to dry. It 

 is essential to dry all specimens quickly in order to preserve their 

 colors, and drying by artificial heat is to be recommended for this 

 reason. It is important, before finally mounting, to support the 

 body by running a fine bristle or pin through the head, thorax and 

 abdomen. This keeps the various sections of the body together 

 and prevents breakage, which is one of the worst troubles in 

 maintaining a collection of dragonflies. 



Williamson dries all specimens in triangles of paper, later pin- 

 ning those which he desires through the base of the wings. To 

 dry specimens while on collecting trips, he has constructed a box 

 with a funnel-shaped cloth which fits on the bottom. This he 

 hangs on a tree over a lantern. 



For rearing Zygoptera, jelly tumblers may be used conveniently 

 and successfully. There should not be more than one individual 

 in each tumbler, since the nymphs will kill one another, and a 

 small piece of water weed taken from the habitat of the nymph 

 should be placed in the water. Sphagnum moss also serves this 

 purpose, and is adapted to the needs of Zygoptera. Anisoptera 

 require larger jars or cages, but unless the cage is large, only one 

 individual should be placed in each. Various kinds of cages have 

 been used in rearing dragonflies in the field, most of them con- 

 sisting of a simple wire cage placed in shallow water. 



Mosquito larvae may be used for food for the nymphs, or any 

 soft-bodied aquatic larvae. Ephemerids are particularly desired 

 by many species. Full-grown nymphs are better for rearing than 

 the younger stages and may be distinguished from the latter by 

 means of the wing pads, which are well filled out in the older 

 stages. Some workers have reported the successful use of angle- 

 worms for food, and the larger species of dragonflies will take 

 live, soft-bodied insects such as flies, roaches, spiders, or small 

 caterpillars, if held before them. 



Illustrations 



For photographing tracheal gills, the writer has used the fol- 

 lowing method : The gills are detached and mounted in water, 

 using gills from newly captured nymphs if possible. They are 

 then placed beneath the camera provided with a 48 mm. or 32 mm. 

 lens, are lighted from below with a mirror or incandescent light, 

 and photographed. Wings have been successfully photographed 

 by removing from the ■ insect, mounting between lantern-slide 



