Introduction. xlix 



On Denuding the Wings of Lepidoptera. — It is often necessary to remove the scales from the 

 wings of Lepidoptera in order to study the arrangement of the nervures. There is no difficulty 

 about this in the case of the larger and more strongly -built species. The scales can be easily 

 removed, even without detaching the wings from the body, by means of a soft and blunt camel's- 

 hair brush, and specimens may be thus obtained which show the complete scaling of the wings on 

 one side, and on the other the naked membranes. It is more difficult to denude the wings of 

 small and delicate species, which is effected in the following manner : — The wing is carefully 

 removed at the base, and placed between two thin plates of glass, such as those used for microscopic 

 slides, which are then gently rubbed together : this will be sufficient to remove some of the 

 scales. Then breathe upon one of the plates, lay the wing on the place, breathe on the other plate, 

 lay it over the wing, and rub the plates together as before. Continue this process until the wing 

 is nearly clean, wiping the scales now and then from the glass on which the wing is not resting, and 

 then transferring the wing to this while the lower glass is rubbed. If there still remain scales on 

 the wing which cannot be removed in this manner, breathe again on one of the glasses, press the 

 wing firmly down upon it with a dry, clean glass, and rub the scales off with a fine, soft brush ; 

 then breathe on the other glass, press it down till the wing adheres to it, and then clean the other 

 side with the brush in the same manner. When the membrane is perfectly clean, lift it up with a 

 moistened brush and gum it upon another glass plate, over which another plate is to be fastened 

 by gumming the edges, in order to preserve the specimen. The other pair of wings, with the 

 scales attached, as well as the antennae, palpi, legs, and other portions of the insect, may also be 

 placed between the glasses, in order that all important parts of the insect may be examined with a 

 microscope or lens. It is absolutely necessary that the name of the insect should be attached to 

 all such preparations the moment they are completed, unless the undenuded wings accompany 

 them. 



Attempts have also been made to obtain impressions of the wings of Lepidoptera by pressing 

 them down upon gummed paper, when the membrane of the wing can be removed, leaving the 

 scales attached to the paper. The body can then be painted in between. But these latter 

 preparations serve no purpose which cannot be better answered either by real specimens, or by 

 carefully-executed drawings or good engravings ; whereas the denuded wings and microscopic 

 preparations mentioned in the last paragraph have a real scientific value, and should not be 

 neglected by any entomologist who possesses a microscope ; for though he will probably not 

 be inclined to sacrifice rare specimens for anatomical or microscopic purposes, he will easily 

 procure a sufficient number of common or broken insects to employ him for a very long time, 

 if he has any taste for such researches. 



ON THE ARRANGEMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF A COLLECTION. 



Store-boxes are made of various sizes, but should be constructed of light wood, and lined with 

 cork at the top and bottom. They are used for carrying specimens from place to place when we 

 wish to compare a number with a collection at a distance, or to bring home a larger supply from a 

 long excursion than the setting-house or collecting-boxes will hold. They are also used for 

 sending duplicates to our correspondents, when the specimens must be pinned in very tightly, and 

 cross-pins put over the bodies of all heavy-bodied moths. The box or boxes must then be packed 

 in an outer case, with hay, tow, shavings, or other soft packing material all round, to prevent their 

 being jarred, or allowed to touch the outer case at any point ; and the lid of the case had better be 

 screwed down than nailed down. In sending insects abroad, it is better to pack them in single 



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