NOTES, CAPTURES, ETC. 137 
again turned up! So far as I remember the late Thomas Allis 
said this man used to smoke them out of partially dry ditches, 
when it occurred freely enough with plenty of Nonagria canne 
and N. newrica. Is it that the right time of appearance is lost ? 
though that may be judged by the last two; or is the locality 
of the right ditches lost? These were said to be near Yaxley. 
Then also was Noctua subrosea thought no more of than any 
ordinary local moth at the present time. There were plenty to 
be had before a terrible fire swept its locality, since which none 
have been caught, or possibly they may not have been sufficiently 
looked for. By the way, I recently saw some foreign N. subrosea 
very like our British ones, indeed not much different.—J. B. 
Hopexrnson; 6, Fishergate Hill, Preston, March 7th, 1886. 
PRESERVATION OF SMALL Larva.—Can any of your numerous 
readers tell me a good way of preserving small larve? The 
apparatus mentioned in the ‘Insect Hunter’s Companion’ 
(pp. 19-21) answers extremely well for the larger caterpillars, 
but is not adaptable for the small Tortrix or Tinez larve. Is 
there any way of preserving these minute larve, except by 
inflation, so as to render them convenient for placing in one’s 
cabinet by the side of the imagines ?—A. E. Hatz; Norbury, 
Pitsmoor, Sheffield. 
EXCHANGING FRESHLY-CAUGHT SPECIMENS.—It has occurred 
to me that through the introduction of the parcels-post a new 
method has been opened up for the transmission of insects in 
exchange. Hitherto we have been in the habit of sending our 
specimens set and dried by means of “ postal boxes,” wrapped 
in cotton-wool, which travel (as a rule) for twopence by letter- 
post, and sometimes (experto crede) get very considerably damaged 
in the process. But, now that we can send 1 lb. by parcels-post 
for 3d., why should we not make use of the zine pocket collecting- 
box, and send our insects fresh killed and unset, simply pinned 
on the damp cork, so that our friends may pin and set them 
after their own favourite fashion? I am bound to say that I 
have not tried this plan, as the idea has only just occurred to 
me; but it sounds feasible at all events, and I hope you will 
allow me to throw out the suggestion for the consideration of 
entomologists before the busy season sets in.—CuHarues F. 
THORNEWILL; The Soho, Burton-on-Trent, Feb. 20, 1886. 
ENTOM.— May, 1886. T 
