PEOCEEDIKGS OF THE THIRD ENTOMOLOGICAL MEETING 959 



wings are proijerly fastened down or they will tend to cockle up at the 

 tips. In any case of doubt or when there is no hurry for removal it 

 is as well to leave the insects on the boards as long as possible, provided 

 of course that the boards are kept in a safe place. After relaxation, 

 set insects require to be kept on the boards for a longer period than do 

 fresh specimens of similar size, as they are very liable to " .spring '' if 

 reiuoved too soon. 



Dragon-flies require to be dried as rapidly as possible in order to 

 retain their colours, and in damp weather the process of drying generally 

 requires to be hastened artificially to avoid decomposition and mould. 



Labelling is a most important item in the art of collecting. Every 

 single specimen in a collection, to be of any scientific value at all, must 

 carr}' a label or labels showing at least where and when it was obtained, 

 and any further parfcicidars concerning it, such particulars usually 

 including the name of the person who collected it. Other particulars 

 should include references to note-book or other record, foodplaiit or 

 any particulars regarding place of occurrence, habits, colour in life, 

 etc. Finally, if the specimen has been identified by a specialist it 

 should bear a label showing its name as given and the name of the identi- 

 fierand date (at least the year). The labels should be as small as 

 possible, as it is a waste of space in the store-box and a decided eye- 

 sore to attach enormous placards to the specimens, as one often sees 

 done, especially in CTOvernment Collections in India. If there is not 

 room to write all particulars on one small label, it is better to use two 

 or more labels, one placed below the other, but the uppermost should 

 always be that showing the locality and date of capture, and these 

 particulars at least shoidd be legible mthout removal of the pinned 

 specimen. Then may follow particulars of foodplant, etc., references 

 to any records of rearing or habits, etc., and finally a separate label 

 showing identification. (Plate 156. fig. 1). 



When large numbers of insects from one locality are dealt with, 

 it is onvenient to use labels jarinted in small type, as printed labels 

 are more compact, neater and more legible. When the locality is in 

 the Hills, its height above sea-level should be stated and, except 

 in the case of well-known localities {e.g., Calcutta), it is as well to add 

 the Province ; thus : — 



Assam ; Khasi Hills. 

 ShUlong (5,000 feet) 

 (date) 



(Collectors name.) 

 The spelling of place-names should conform as far as possible to 

 the rule that consonants are pronounced as in English and vowels as 



VOL. Ill K 



