PRACTICAX, HINTS. 20B 



set exactly alike. It would be something gained if we could get any- 

 thing like uniformity in pins. Black ones are now generally used, though 

 a few people still stick to white or gilt (I have rather a strong leaning to 

 the latter myself). My experiences have taught me that the best 

 pins are the improved kinds, made by D. F. Tayler and Co., which do 

 not bend and curl up at the points, like so many of those of other 

 makers. I find the best sizes are (1) for small Geometrids, small 

 butterflies and small Noctuids — No. 9 ; (2) for medium sized 

 insects — No. 8 ; (3) for the larger Noctuids — No. 17 ; (4) for the 

 Sphinges — No. 13, These sizes will be all that are required for 

 Macros. — T. Maddison, South Bailey, Durham. December, 1895. 



Labelling insects. — With regard to the data given with insects, 

 we ought to have the exact date, not only the year, but the month 

 and day when possible ; and I would further suggest that in all 

 cases where the owner has not himself caught or bred an insect he 

 should state from whom he got it, and supply the data given by that 

 individual. Exact and reliable data add greatly to the value of an 

 insect, whereas if a collector resident in Devon simply gives as 

 data — say "York, 1894," one does not know on whose authority 

 this is stated, nor what value to attach to it. — E. F. Studd, M.A., 

 B.C.L., F.E.S., Oxton, near Exeter. December 15th, 1895. 



With regard to the labelling of insects, I find that a general 

 locality, such as "Box Hill," " Rannoch," &c., is sufficient for geo- 

 graphical distribution, with the captor's name, and the date of the 

 capture added. The obverse side of the labels I use is similar to this : 

 I .t'ItTx oKo I- This I use for all ordinary insects, but when I want any 

 further details as to the history of the insect, I write such on the 

 reverse, or add the date thus : I 3. vii. i . It will be seen that each insect 

 thus carries a history with it, riz. — (1) Place of capture. (2) Year. 

 (3) Captor's name in the case of common insects, with the precise 

 date added for any rare species or variety. If the captor wished, he could 

 place all the information in type, although this means shifting the 

 type for each day's collecting. I think the first plan the more useful, 

 and, besides, it does not take up much room. 



As to the important point of procuring the type. If a number of 

 entomologists would agree together to purchase a set of type, with 

 ink-holder, &c., it could be procured, I think, at about 5s. each set. 

 To be of any use the type must be that supplied by the best founders. 



Until some arrangement for labelling insects is adopted, no 

 reliance can be placed on the information tendered by people with the 

 insects which they send out. I would ask whether it is reasonable to 

 suppose that anyone taking an insect out of his store-box can tell 

 when and where the insect was taken, more particularly if it was 

 captured a year or two ago. For my own part, I do not believe in it. 

 —J. J. F. X. King, F.E.S., 207, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow. 

 December 20th, 1895. 



A METHOD OF OBTAINING PUP.E. — The followiiig Hote Oil pupa- 

 catching may perhaps interest those readers who have not tried the 

 method, and who have suitable trees in their grounds. Fasten a band 

 round the trunk below the boughs ; the band to be made of rough cork 

 or oak bark, also (where its appearance is not objectionable), I recom- 

 mend a second band below the cork ; the second band may be of sacking 

 (or other cloth), its lower edge fastened tightly to the trunk, its 



