298 APPENDIX B. COLLECTING, PINNING, StlTTlN^. 



into boxes assigned for each big family and groups of small ones. For this reason 

 store-boxes are better for keeping permanent collections in than cabinets with drawers, 

 as new boxes can be put in anywhere and new drawers cannot always be inserted. 



In making a general collection it is wiser to separate the orders, and not, for 

 instance, to put the parasites of a species of moth with the specimens of that moth. 

 If the moths are the object of the collection, then the parasites can fitly be placed with 

 the species they prey on. 



It is important to put name labels on the pins and not simply below each species ; 

 there may be a generic label at the head of a genus and a specific label below each 

 species in addition. 



Special Material. 



All specimens cannot be either pinned or in spirit ; there must be a quantity of 

 special material unsuitable for either. Eggs, pupa cases, cocoons, specimens illustrat- 

 ing the habitations of insects must be kept separate in boxes or bottles as a rule. For 

 small objects, eggs, pupa cases, small cocoons, etc., glass topped boxes are useful. A 

 small quantity of naphthalene helps to preserve them. Duplicate insects also want 

 special storing, as the Lepidoptera in papers, Coleoptera in sawdust, Orthoptera in 

 cylinders. Coccidm keep well in small envelopes wrapped in oiled paper, as do the 

 pup£E and larvfe of Alcurodidce. Small Hemiptera, Kymenoptera, Dlptera, can 

 often be best kept in good corked tubes, as can small duijlicate Coleoptera ; but they 

 must first be well dried, and the outside of the corks should be varnished or dipped 

 in melted paraffin wax. A dry specimen should always be in an atmosphere of naphtha- 

 lene or carbolic acid ; the inside of corks of tubes should be dipped in carbolic acid or in 

 a solution of naphthalene. 



In working microscopic specimens, a series of slides accumulates of insects in 

 Canada balsam. These are kept in special cabinets and it is convenient to numbar 

 them in order as they are made and list them separately in a book. 



Rearing. 



A volume could be written on this subject to deal with the difEerent families and 

 their peculiar needs. There is but one rule, to keep the insects as much as possible in 

 natural conditions. This can never be fully attained in a small space or even in the 

 biggest cage indoors. Many cannot be reared in captivity save under exceptionally 

 good conditions ; others will live under very bad conditions. Lepidoptera are among 

 the easiest unless they are such as some of the LtjccBnidce, which miss the attendance 

 uf their particular species of ants. Plant-feeding caterpillars want plenty of fresh 

 food, proper conditions of light, air and moisture, and whatever particular conditions 

 they require for pupation. 



Diptera are often easy, provided they are not allowed to dry up. Most predaceous 

 forms, MantidcB, Hemerohiidce, Coccinellidce, need a very large supply of food and 

 even then are not always easy to rear. 



Larger plant-sucking Hemiptera need live plants to feed on and then thrive ^very 

 often. Smalhu- Hemiptera are easy to rear, save such forms as Jassidce, Many 

 species of Orthoptera can be reared but will not breed in captivity ; the same is true 

 of the majority of Coleoptera and Hemiptera. 



Aquatic insects demand special methods usually easily obtained if the insects are 

 accustomed to stagnant water but almost impossible for such as live in swiftly run- 

 ning water. 



