]^^2 [December, 1872. 



the ? also by the ova) that destroys the beauty of the specimens, and, 

 at first, I accepted the explanation in all its details. Further con- 

 sideration, however, induces me now to differ from him as to these 

 specimens being recently developed. All dragon-flies take from two 

 days to a fortnight (according to the species) to become fully mature ; 

 yet they eat in the meantime, and the individuals that do not change 

 are usually fully mature. I look, therefore, to another explanation. 

 Dr. Hagen hints that specimens taken very early in the morning are 

 the most likely to retain their colours ; this I consider not o-^dng to 

 the fact that they are recently developed, and have not fed at all, 

 but that the food of the preceding day has been digested and passed 

 away : and I should look to even more certain results in the case of 

 specimens taken during the first incoming of fine weather after an 

 uninterrupted series of gloomy and wet days. 



I conclude the already too lengthy remarks in this chapter by a 

 few hints to foreign collectors. If the specimens be pinned when 

 caught, each should have a grass stem, or some analogous substance, 

 run into the body as mentioned above, taking especial care that one 

 end be in the tliorax ; otherwise it is impossible to send over a col- 

 lection which shall arrive in good condition, and one large body 

 becoming detached will play havoc with the others. But almost all 

 can be sent in squares of paper folded into triangular envelopes, one 

 in each : if the body then become broken, the pieces can be fitted 

 together with certainty. They should not be placed in these enve- 

 lopes until dry, that is, until after they have been for some time 

 braced down as recommended for the field collecting box, otherwise 

 the pressure alters the form, and decomposition sets in under very 

 unfavourable conditions, so far as the colours are concerned. 



Dry dragon-flies relax very easily, and need not remain upon the 

 setting-board for anything like the time required for smaller and more 

 delicate insects. When the bodies are broken, they can easily be re- 

 united by using horsehair (or something stouter for large species), 

 inserted into the dislocated portions, taking the precaution to smear' 

 the substance with the shell-lac cement, and the pin will also require 

 some of this cement on the portion that will remain in the thorax, to 

 keep it secure. Pins with the heads cut off, and wire, are not 

 desirable mediums wherewith to connect broken fragments, as they 

 become rusty, and eventually destroy the specimen. Baron De Selys 

 even advises that the abdomens of all dry specimens should be volun- 

 tarily detached, and then re-connected. A solution of phenic (carbolic) 

 acid in alcohol should be applied to each specimen to destroy mites or 

 mould, and as a future preservative. The wool used for stuffing fresh 

 specimens should also be saturated with some of this solution. 



