1872.] - 103 



by holding tlie inBect to the liglit, the intricate veiuing being usually 

 more or less pale, or even transparent. Carding can only be tolerated 

 by tbe Neuropterist when applied to the preservation of minute apte- 

 rous forms, such as some Psocidae.* 



Peeseeving IN" Alcohol, &c. — As so much depends in many 

 groups of Neuroptera upon the form of the genital organs and their 

 secondary appendages, it is of much service if some specimens be 

 placed in spirits of wine, or some analogous medium, so that these 

 forms can be more reliably ascertained, and safer descriptions and 

 drawings be made therefrom than can sometimes be had from dry 

 specimens. But I confess to having a prejudice against collections 

 consisting almost entirely of specimens in alcohol. The constant care 

 necessary for their preservation is a great drawback, and can be only 

 exercised in large museums, and, even in these, I think exj)erience will 

 prove that pinned specimens wdll stand a much better chance of a long 

 existence than will those in alcohol ; and this must not be lost sight 

 of when typical collections are concerned. There is no reason why a 

 pinned collection should not last for at least a couple of centuries, 

 and be then of use to the student, if ordinary care be taken ; but I 

 much fear that the myriads of glass tubes with alcohol, &c., necessary 

 for a large typical collection, would, with their contents, stand little 

 chance of an existence for half that period. Hence, I look upon this 

 mode of preparation as more adapted to temporary purposes. If the 

 necessary descriptions or figures be once made, much is done, for the 

 natural form of the parts can, in most cases, be traced in the dry 

 insect ; whereas, details drawn up from dry insects in the first instance, 

 are often difficult of application to the actual condition as exhibited 

 in moist preparations. Mr. Eaton strongly recommends using pure 

 glycerine and water, the former being added drop by drop to a tube 

 partly filled with water till it is full, and with the addition of a small 

 drop of acetic acid, the tube being finally corked. And here I would 

 urge my chief objection to moist preparations. If cork only be used, 

 the spirit or other substance will quickly evaporate, and. the insects 

 be destroyed ; and if hermetically sealed, the specimens are compara- 

 tively useless, for sufficient examination can seldom be made through 



* In Coleoptera, " carding" has many serious disadvantages. Important characters are pre- 

 sent in the " cushions " of the under-side of the tarsi, in the insertion of the cf)Xfe, and in the 

 abdominal segments, to say nothing of the mouth-parts. Some argtie that all these difficulties 

 can be met by gumming certain indi%'iduals on the Ijack. But suppose the specimen rentri- d soleil 

 be not specifically identical with those ventre a ttrre ! and this is .an accident likely to occur to 

 the most expert Coleopterist. An esteemed colleague, to whom I have often .argued my objec- 

 tions to the carding system, suggests that the sijcciniens can easily be " floated off " in water, 

 and examined on all points. What unnecessary trouble ! what bother over giun-beclogged tarsi, 

 &c. ! I often see carded Carabi ; and, if the ijractice be not on the wane, aa I think it is, 1 

 expect to see a carded Goliath-beetle !— U. McL. 



