PRESERVATION OF LARV^, BY INFLATION. 225 



different genera resembling SaiyruH JRgeria., some measuring 

 nearly three inches in expanse. They have generally a large 

 eye at the lip of the fore wings, and another at the anal angle 

 of the hind wings, though Eplnephile Aheona has two eyes 

 on the fore wings, that nearest the anal angle being the 

 largest. This species is brown, with a fulvous band across 

 the fore wings, and therefore resembles JEgeria less than the 

 other Australian Satyrin<B of this group. 



[Note. — In my last article, Elymnias is incorrectly spelled 

 more than once. — W. F. K.] 



ON THE PRESERVATION OF LEPIDOPTEROUS 

 LARV^ BY INFLATION. 



By C. H. and H. M. Golding-Bird. 



There have already appeared in the pages of this 

 magazine some useful papers on the preservation of 

 lepidopterous larvae by inflation. The method we are now 

 going to describe gives as good results by less laborious 

 means. Unfortunately the colour is not constant with many 

 larvae, so that an approximation to a natural appearance is 

 the most that can be obtained. It is, therefore, all the more 

 necessary to have command over the position of the insect, 

 so that both siiffness and loss of colour together may not 

 make it quite unrecognizable. We think our plan puts a 

 good deal of power into the hands of the operator, and, as 

 stated already, is in no way laborious, so that both amateur 

 and professional will find pleasure in the process as well as 

 in the results. Over the ordinary means employed (so far as 

 we have been able to learn) it has the advantage (I) of 

 exposing the whole length of the larva to the same temperature 

 at the same time ; (2) saving the operator's lungs, since the 

 air is forced in from a pressure-bottle, in which it has 

 previously been condensed; (3) allowing the larva to be placed 

 in its characteristic position; (4) unless any special position 

 is required, two larvae can be inflated at once. 



The requisite apparatus can be made by anyone possessed 

 of the most ordinary mechanical skill, in a short time, and at 

 very small expense. After describing it we will give the 

 mode of manipulating a larva from first to last. To introduce 



2h 



