ON LABELLING INSECTS. 



217 



It will be noticed that these labels are longer and narrower 

 than Mr. Brunetti's, so that the most important particulars 

 project well in front of the specimen and are easily read ; by 

 tm-ning to the catalogue any further details may be at once 

 seen. 



With Mr. Brunetti's remarks on the method of writing the 

 date I am quite in accord ; to place the month before the day 

 is like putting the cart before the horse. The use of Roman 

 numerals to further distinguish the month is an excellent scheme, 

 and if collectors cannot bring themselves to do this, they should 

 at least write Jan., Feb., Mch., &c. 



The collector's name hardly seems necessary unless there are 

 large acquisitions by exchange or purchase ; but a note in the 

 remarks column of the catalogue, or a second label on the insect, 

 would serve the purpose. 



I am, of course, aware that there are many other methods. 

 Some only attach catalogue numbers to the specimens, but this 

 entails reference to the catalogue in every case, whereas my 

 method only requires such reference when full details are re- 

 quired. Others place their labels beside their specimens, so as 

 to be clearly seen, and so that one label will do duty for all 

 captures on one occasion ; but this is only of advantage when 

 the limits of a collection are well marked out ; otherwise it means 

 the constant trouble of shifting the label also whenever a speci- 

 men is moved, and if the specimens should get separated from 

 their labels, it seems to me that there might be considerable 

 difficulty in pairing them off again. 



In conclusion, without wishing to assert that my method is 

 the best possible, I do say that it answers very well, and 

 possesses the following advantages : — 



(1). The labels can easily be read without removing the 

 specimen ; thus a great factor in deterioration is absent. 



(2). If it does require to be taken out of its box for com- 

 parison, exhibition, &c., each specimen is complete in itself, and 

 so there is no danger of its data being lost. 



'■'■'■ Pin of specimen, 



