2364 Journal of Applied Microscopy 



be brought up so that there is no large space between them and the front wings, 

 merely a V-shaped notch at the sides. 



A net is a very desirable accessory for a collector. The ring should be made 

 of stout galvanized steel wire, fastened preferably with solder in a socket and 

 fitted with a light handle three or four feet long. The ring should be about ten 

 inches in diameter and the bag of cheese-cloth just a little shorter than the arm, 

 so that one can easily reach to the bottom. The bottom should be rounded so 

 that no vexatious corners offer hiding places for the specimens. 



The standard pins are known as Klaeger pins. They are made of german- 

 silver and vary in size. Number 3 is the most useful although No. 5 is very 

 convenient for large insects and No. 1 for small forms. 



By far the most interesting and instructive collection is made by rearing the 

 insects from the egg or larval condition. Caterpillers, grubs, and larvae of all 

 sorts usually may be reared or bred by placing them on their appropriate food- 

 plant in cages. A small cage can be made by embedding a bottle for water in 

 the soil of a flower pot. Twigs of the food-plants may be placed in the bottle 

 and replaced, when wilted, by fresh twigs. Over the food should be placed an 

 open glass cylinder to enclose the whole, or if these are not to be had, use a 

 lantern-globe with a piece of Swiss muslin tied over the top of the globe or cylin- 

 der for ventilation. The muslin may be tied on with a string. If a colony of 

 caterpillars be started, specimens should be saved, from time to time, at the 

 various stages and preserved in wet form in bottles. A very satisfactory preser- 

 vative is made by mixing formalin, alcohol, and water as follows : 



Alcohol (95 per cent.), . - . - 100 c. c. 

 Water (rain or distilled), _ . . - 100 c. c. 



Formalin (40 per cent formaldehyde), - - 10 c. c. 



Such reared specimens possess an interest far beyond that of specimens 

 merely caught at random, and this is especially true if the specimens are accom- 

 panied by careful notes. 



Insects may be sent in cigar boxes lined with cork. If a layer of split cot- 

 ton wadding be pasted over the cork, it will catch any legs, antennse, or wings 

 that may become jarred off in transit. The cigar boxes should be wrapped in 

 cotton-batting and then in paper, or else a small box should be enclosed in a 

 larger one with cotton firmly, but not too tightly, packed between. 



All this and very much more can be found in Professor Comstock's "Insect 

 Life," published by Appleton of New York. No better beginning could be made 

 by one intending to commence the study of insects, than by obtaining a copy of 

 this book. Directions for inflating larvae and preserving all sorts of insects, with 

 advice as to cases, etc., are fully given with many illustrations. 



Supplies may be obtained of many dealers. The American Entomological 

 Co., 1040 DeKalb avenue, of Brooklyn, and Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. of 

 Rochester, N. Y., and many others, supply the goods at standard prices. 

 Michigan Agricultural College. RUFUS H. PetTIT. 



