188 Annals Entomological Society of America  [Vol. V, 
measurements, the determination of the end of a segment will 
be only approximately at the center of the conjunctiva. This 
difficulty will be increased if there are some bends in the 
antenne.”’ 
To overcome this difficulty a number of methods of staining 
were tried, but the one given below proved the most satis- 
factory and gave excellent mounts. 
Puncture the specimens with a coarse needle or the point of 
a fine scalpel and treat with K O H in the usual manner. 
After washing in water transfer to strong Carbol fuchsin and 
leave until deeply stained. Specimens may be left in this for an 
hour or more, or over night if the stain is diluted. Wash in 
weak alcohol and bring up to 95% or absolute alcohol. By the 
time this stage is reached the specimens should be uniformly 
deeply colored but translucent. Place in clove oil to clear and 
bleach. The action of this is slow, and the condition of the 
specimens can be regulated so that any degree of staining can 
be retained. If left sufficiently long the integument will be 
quite clear except for the more highly chitinised parts, 1. e., 
antenne, legs, mouthparts, spines and pores. At this stage the 
specimens make exceedingly beautiful slides and quite satis- 
factory mounts to work with. Specimens should be passed from 
clove oil through xylol into balsam. The illustration shows a 
photograph from such a mount. 
Fig. 4. Microphotograph of right antenna of Pseudocaccus sp. 
showing pseudo-articulation of segment Viii. 
Armoured scales, (also Mallophaga, Pediculide and other 
soft-bodied insects) may also be improved for purposes of 
study by a very simple method. After treating with K O H 
and bringing through the alcohols the specimens should be 
cleared in Beechwood Creosote to which a little Picric Acid has 
been added. This turns the creosote a bright brown but does 
