250 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



Park would seem to be the place where the entomologist might 

 look for suggestions in such matters. 



Meanwhile all that seems feasible in nearly every case is to 

 keep under observation the insects in whatever stage they may 

 be secured. As already suggested fish-globes make very efficient 

 vivaria. They should contain a layer of earth or sand, which 

 must be kept slightly moist, while a living grass plant would 

 give, for the Locustids and Acridians, a somewhat home-like 

 habitation. With the exception of the two species of Tetrix, all 

 the latter feed on grass apjiarently, and it is an interesting 

 experience to watch them eating it. I'etrix feeds on very low 

 forms of vegetable life found on the surface of the earth. 



Perhaps some of the Locustids require animal food, at least 

 occasionally, for it will soon be discovered that they readily 

 become cannibals in captivity when food is short. This is true 

 in fact of all our Orthoptera except the Acridians. 



Cockroaches and crickets are omnivorous feeders, with prob- 

 ably a preference for animal food, and the former, or at any rate 

 the larger species are somewhat disgusting animals to keep in 

 captivity. This, however, is not the case with our three small 

 native species of the genus Ectohitis. 



28, Knight's Park, 



Kingston-on-Tliames ; < 



September 20th, l'J19. 



PEE SERVING ORTHOPTERA. 

 By W. J. Lucas, B.a!, F.E.S. 



It goes without saying that a collection of Orthoptera can 

 never make so fine a show as do rows of Crimson Underwings, 

 Clouded Yellows, Purple Emperors, or even Garden Whites. In 

 most cases collections will be made specially for scientific pur- 

 poses, with only a secondary regard for appearance. Some of 

 those who study the Orthoptera, therefore, may prefer simply to 

 keep their specimens in tubes of dilute spirit or in a 5 per cent, 

 solution of formalin, supplementing them by microscope mounts 

 of details in fluid, jelly, or Canada balsam. 



Probably, however, the majority will think it better to pin 

 out their specimens in the usual way. In this case if the species 

 possesses organs of flight some examples of both sexes should be 

 shown with wings expanded. For setting them butterfly setting- 

 boards are not to be recommended; for, whatever the merits, if 

 any, of curved wings in the Lepidoptera, they seem to be quite 

 out of place in the Orthoptera. The groove, too, must be some- 

 what wider and of rectangular section to properly accommodate 

 tlie legs and allow of their being displayed symmetrically, for 



