1 2 Collection and Preparation. 



to injury ; and, where the object is at all opaque, the greater 

 refractiveness of the balsam helps to clear it. A duplicate set 

 of specimens might with advantage be mounted in each medium. 



The winged males of nearly all Coccidae are very minute and 

 fragile. They can be satisfactorily examined only in the fresh 

 state. They live but a few hours and shrivel rapidly after death. 

 Any notes and drawings should therefore be made as soon after 

 the emergence of the perfect insect as possible. They do not 

 respond to the treatment recommended for the female insects, 

 and permanent mounts either in balsam or glycerine medium 

 are seldom satisfactory. 



These few hints may possibly be of assistance to the beginner 

 d do not presume to offer them to more experienced workers), 

 but the particular method that will produce the best results in 

 his case can be learned only by personal experience, and each 

 individual will doubtless find out for himself many little devices 

 to assist him in his work. 



