liv EuROPEAx Butterflies and Moths. 



prolegs gummed to a twig or to a card. A hollow grass stem may be substituted for the blow- 

 pipe, and when the larva is dry the stalk may be cut off short near the point of insertion, and 

 a pin stuck through the end to fix it in the cabinet. The inflation must be performed with 

 great care, and the heat applied must not be too great. While some recommend that the larva 

 should be dried as rapidly as possible, others consider it indispensable to dry it as slowly as 

 po.ssible. The skin must not be inflated too rapidly or violently, lest it should be unduly 

 distended, or even burst during the operation. One disadvantage of this method is that the 

 larva loses more or less of its colour during the process. Other means have, therefore, been 

 attempted in order to preserve the colours better. After the larva-skin has been emptied, as 

 previously directed, it may be filled with fine sand or sawdust through a small funnel inserted 

 in the opening through which the contents have been removed, till the skin has resumed the 

 shape of the living larva. The stuffing must be well dried ; and if sawdust be used, it should be 

 previously tinted with a colouring matter corresponding to the ground colour of the living larva ; 

 and after the stufted skin has been brought to the required condition, it should be dried slowly at 

 a moderately warm temperature, and then attached to some suitable object. 



When larva; differ at different moults, a series of specimens should be prepared, showing 

 them in all their stages. 



PupK should be killed by immersion in spirit, and should then be dried in a strong heat, when 

 they may either be pinned or gummed on a piece of card. In preserving suspended pupa;, they 

 should, if possible, be allowed to remain attached to a portion of the object to which they were 

 found fixed, and the same with cocoons attached to twigs, &c. 



Eggs, larva;, pupae, and the cocoons belonging to them, may be kept in separate boxes 

 or drawers, with the names attached. It is, however, a very pleasing and practical method to 

 exhibit all the stages of the species at once, by grouping together the egg, the various stages of 

 the larva, the pupa, and the cocoon, and the moth or butterfly which emerges from it, as well as 

 specimens of any ichneumons or otiier parasites by which the species is liable to be attacked. 

 The early stages may be attached to an artificial representation of the plant upon which the 

 insect feeds, or else a carefully coloured drawing should be placed with it. 



ON EXCHANGING AND FORWARDING LEPIDOPTF.RA. 



If we confine our collection to the specimens we are able to procure ourselves, it will be 

 limited to the species found in our own immediate neighbourhood, or to those which we may 

 obtain casually while travelling ; but we shall find it necessary to add to our specimens by purchase 

 or exchange, if we wish to bring together anything like a tolerably complete collection. It is, of 

 course, unnecessary to buy any specimens which we are likely to have an opportunity of procuring 

 for ourselves, or which we can easily procure by exchange, unless we happen to want them for 

 some special purpose at a time when we have no immediate opportunity of procuring them 

 otherwise. In exchanging insects, alwaj's make it an absolute rule never to send away any but 

 absolutely perfect specimens ; and require the same from your correspondents. The only departure 

 from this rule that should be admitted is in the case of positively rare species, and it is then 

 necessary that both correspondents should perfectly understand each other about the condition of 

 the specimens beforehand. Most collectors have an opportunity of procuring numerous specimens 

 of some local species for which those living in other places will be glad to exchange the species of 

 their own neighbourhood. Before exchanging, it is always better to exchange lists of duplicates and 

 desiderata first, and then arrange as fair an exchange as possible by letter. The young collector 



