ON THE CAPTURE AND PRESERVATION OF OOLEOPTERA. 137 



in all directions. In the case of a large insect like Lucanus 

 cervus, it is advisable to make a small hole first with the point of 

 a fine needle, or otherwise the very hard elytron will probably 

 turn the point of the pin. Also, when passing the pin through 

 the body, be careful that it does not force off one of the legs. 

 The legs, antennae, palpi, &c., are then drawn out into a natural 

 position, and fixed with pins or braces. 



The smaller beetles must always be set on stiff white card. 

 If run through with a pin it is sure to carry off a leg or otherwise 

 disfigure the body. If the collector expects to have plenty of 

 time to spare during the year, he will find it a very good plan to 

 set his beetles temporarily in batches of a dozen or more on a 

 slip of stout card with a very little thick gum, then, when in 

 town, or for other reasons unable to collect, the cards can be 

 immersed in hot water for an instant, and the beetles conveyed, 

 ready set, on to a piece of white card, on which the smallest drop 

 of coaguline sufficient to hold them has been placed. By this 

 means all scratches will be avoided on the card. Attached to 

 each card should be a very small label, on which a number is 

 written corresponding to a number in a book, giving date, locality, 

 and any particulars worth remarking, or the number may be 

 written at the bottom of the card. This doubtless entails a 

 certain amount of extra trouble, but in the end it makes the 

 collection much more valuable and interesting. 



The first and most important consideration when setting a 

 beetle is to give it plenty of card, and to set the limbs, antennae, 

 and all the organs of the mouth out thoroughly well. In many 

 of the genera where the species are all small, and closely resemble 

 one another, it is absolutely impossible to identify them unless 

 the organs of the mouth and limbs can be minutely examined ; 

 but, besides this, nothing looks worse than to see a beetle 

 crammed on to a tiny piece of card just large enough to hold it, 

 with the legs tucked up all round, and the antennae not showing 

 at all. If too much card- space is given, some can be cut off 

 afterwards, but if not enough, one cannot put more on. 



It is the general rule not to put more than one beetle on each 

 card, but some collectors prefer two or more. One in each series 

 should be set on its back, so that the mouth and under surface 

 may be examined more easily. 



Some of the smaller Brachelytra will be found very difiicult 



ENTOM. — MAY, 1885. T 



