6. THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



level). It terminates theoretically at the height of 4500 feet, or 

 the theoretical line of congelation. Ben Nevis, the highest moun- 

 tain in the chain, however, falls short of this altitude by about 

 100 feet. This belt constitutes the 4th or Upper Alpine zone of 

 Messrs. Speyer, and is characterised in this country by possess- 

 ing a flora composed only of small alpine plants and lichens, 

 there being nothing in the Grampians corresponding with the 

 lovely rhododendrons of the Swiss alps. The 5th or Snow zone 

 of Messrs. Speyer is not represented at all in the British Isles, 

 this being the region between the theoretical and the actual 

 snow-line of the high mountains upon the Continent. 



(To be continued.) 



EXTRACTION OF MOTH-GEEASE BY ETHER. 

 By H. Guard Knaggs, M.D., F.L.S. 



Some months since there appeared in your pages an interesting 

 discussion on the removal of grease from moths, in which Messrs. 

 Christy, Arlde, Anderson, and the Piev, Joseph Greene took part; 

 and it seemed to me that a considerable advance had been made 

 by the former gentlemen towards thoroughly extracting the grease 

 without showing any external blemish. But while agreeing with 

 Messrs. Christy and Arkle as to the efficacy of repeated baths of 

 benzine or benzoline to eradicate every particle of grease, thus 

 rendering the insect safe for the future, I would submit that there 

 is a fluid still better adapted for the purpose, namely, ether. 

 Methylated ether is about the same price as benzoline, and con- 

 sequently considerably less than benzine coUas. It has fully 

 twice the insect-grease-solving power of the latter, but its great 

 merit consists in the rapidity with which it volatilises, leaving 

 the pile of the fur in its natural position, and thereby giving a 

 freshened appearance to the specimen. 



Breaking off the bodies is a matter of judgment decided by the 

 size of the species, extent of grease, age of the specimen, &c. ; 

 it is also a matter of convenience and an economy of time and 

 material, more especially with the larger species from the size of 

 Noetiice to Acherontia, for when the abdomina alone are detached 

 they take up comparatively little space, and consequently a 

 larger number of them may be operated upon simultaneously, 

 the bath receptacle need not be so large as with entire insects, 

 and the quantity of detergent fluid may be greatly diminished, 

 but not stinted. With regard to the time for commencing 

 operations, it seems to me that we should never begin until the 

 insects a.re thoroughly set and dry, even though signs of grease 

 may be present ; but that, in a reasonable tim,e alter that, the 



