1 8 NEW ZEALAND ENTOMOLOGY. 



and spirits of wine, every six months. These can be 

 introduced in a watch glass containing a small quantity of 

 the chemicals on a pellet of cotton-wool, care being taken 

 not to stain the paper at the bottom of the drawer. For 

 the same reason, while using carbolic acid, the camphor 

 should be taken out, as otherwise it will " sweat." All 

 boxes for the reception of insects must of course be lined 

 with cork and paper. 



It is most important that an accurate record should be 

 kept of every specimen that is placed in the collection. 

 This may be done by attaching to the pin underneath each 

 insect a small numbered label, which refers to a book con- 

 taining locality, date of capture and other particulars. 



I have found it a good plan to give every species a 

 number, and every specimen a letter. Thus, supposing 

 Vanessa gonerilla is numbered " 6," the first specimen 

 taken would be " 6a," the second " 6b," and so on, all the 

 specimens, perhaps, having different dates and localities. 

 This system is very convenient when specimens are sent 

 away to be identified by another entomologist, as, provided 

 the collector always retains a single specimen of the species 

 which he desires named, it obviates the necessity of having 

 his specimens returned, the number showing at once to 

 what species the name refers. At least five lines should be 

 allotted to each species in the collection journal, and the 

 writing should be small but distinct. 



A collection formed in this manner will not only be a 

 constant source of pleasure to the collector and those who 

 succeed him, but very probably of great value in deciding 

 many important questions in entomological science. 



