178 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



most favourable time for the purpose, namely, immediately 

 after the last ecdysis, and before the larva has again tasted 

 food. The viscera are then nearly, if not quite, empty ; and 

 the minimum of discoloration of the spirit takes place while 

 the skin is at its brightest. If it is found diflEfcult or impossible 

 to seize ihe exact time, the larva should be kept without 

 food for a day or two previous to immersion. The spirits of 

 wine used should be pure (not methylated), and not weakened 

 below proof It should be obtained of a respectable spirit 

 merchant, and not a chemist. In some cases it is advisable 

 to allow the larvae to remain in a little spirits of wine, or gin, 

 for two or three days, to " scour ;" they may then be re- 

 moved, partially dried on blotting-paper, and placed in clean 

 spirit, in the vials in which they are to remain. The vials 

 best adapted for the purpose are those used for the preserva- 

 tion of spiders, and can be obtained of various sizes. Besides 

 spirits of wine, I have tried Sir Wm. Burnett's disinfecting 

 fluid (chloride of zinc), but have not tested it sufficiently to 

 be able to report favourably or otherwise ; but I believe for 

 some kinds it will be found to answer very well, as it doubt- 

 less would for preserving other objects of Natural History. 

 It is cheaper and less volatile than spirits of wine. — Joseph 

 Merrm ; Gloucester. 



113. Preservation of Larvce. — I find that I attacked Mr. 

 Blackburn's method of preserving larvae rather too hastily, 

 and, in justice to that gentleman, I am bound to add, un- 

 fairly. Since writing the note alluded to, I am indebted to 

 Mr. Henry Doubleday for a beautiful and most life-like larva 

 of Bombyx Trifolii, preserved by means of inflation over a 

 " spirit-lamp " or " clear charcoal fire." I am glad to learn 

 that our continental friends are progressing so well in this 

 matter ; in fact they seem to have left us somewhat behind, 

 — Henry Reeks ; Manor House, Thrnxton, Fehruary 7. 



114. Phlceotrya r%iji'pes, Steph. — I have long felt that this 

 insect did not accord with the description given by Mulsant 

 and others, either in the details or in the mere coloration, 

 the antennae being said to be black, with the base rufous. It, 

 however, was very near the Vaudoueri, Muls. (recorded by 

 Mr. Westwood for Britain), and I had endeavoured to obtain 

 specimens for comparison. M. Jacquelin-Duval, in his ad- 

 mirable ' Genres des Coleopteres d'Europe,' calls attention 



