INTRODUCTION. 7 



tragacaiilli (td lu' pvo])are(l IVoni a. few clear, wliito pieces, 

 with the addition of a little acetic acid to preserve it), is 

 then to be placed upon the card, and the beetle being 

 transferred to this, tlie legs, etc., can be put in ])lace with a 

 setting needle or brush. The next requisites are a pair of 

 forceps, some pins, and a drying case, tlie latter being fitted 

 with slidinG; corked shelves, and having the l)ack and front 

 formed of canvas or perforated zinc. A })in lieing passed 

 through the card bearing the beetle, it is placed in the dry- 

 ing case, and after a fortnight or longer, according to the 

 weather, is ready to be transferred to the cabinet. Beetles 

 which are too large to l)e conveniently placed upon cards 

 should be pinned through the centre of the width of the 

 right wing case, the pin issuing beneath Ijetween the inter- 

 mediate and posterior pairs of legs ; all other orders of 

 insects are pinned through the thorax. P^acli specimen 

 sliould be marked with a number shewing, by reference to 

 a journal, the time and place of capture. 



Old dried specimens may be relaxed in a jar of damp 

 sand, or by soaking in water ; dirty specimens may be 

 cleaned with benzine, to which, if there be any appearance 

 of mould, one-tenth part of pure carl)olic acid should be 

 added. 



Wherever beetles are stored it is necessary that the boxes 

 or cabinet should contain a supply of camphor and be kept 

 in a dry place, in order to avoid the ravages of mites. 



The number of species of British beetles exceeds 3,000, 

 the latest catalogue being tliat by Dr. Sliarp.* The 

 general plan adopted in the following pages has made it 

 needful in several instances to depart from the order used 

 in this ca.talo^■ue. 



* Published by E. W. Jauson, 28, Musmuii-street, London. 1871. 

 One sliillint'. 



