PRESERVING ORTHOPTERA. 25 1 



the legs are quite as important as the wings. Besides, a tlat-set 

 insect is much more easily photographed if the necessity arises, 

 and it often does. The wings of earwigs when present are not 

 easily displayed, hut still, some must be prepared as well as may 

 be for purposes of examination. 



Most specimens will, however, as a rule be set in the usual 

 resting position with wings closed and legs arched. This may 

 be done by pinning them on a sheet of thick cork, when the legs 

 may easily be arranged with the forceps and kept in position 

 with small pins. As they dry rather slowly they must not be 

 removed from the cork too soon. These specimens may be 

 pinned behind the thorax, leaving the pronotum intact for 

 examination when needed. Assuming that such examples are 

 available, it will not matter if those set with wings spread are 

 pinned through the thorax, which seems to be the most convenient 

 phice. 



Of the various methods of killing insects with a view to their 

 preservation not all are suitable for Orthoptera. The cyanide- 

 bottle is the most convenient means, but in it the insects become 

 very rigid, and the characteristic hind legs then break oft" on the 

 slightest provocation or even wiih none. The rigidity, however, 

 passes away in a few hours and then setting may take place 

 without danger. The laurel-bottle obviates this difficulty, but I 

 am not certain that the vapour does not affect some of the 

 colours. I have some doubt, too, about benzine and similar 

 reagents, which, moreover, also make the insects rigid. It is, of 

 course, unnecessary to say that full data must be pat with the 

 insects at once, for an unlabelled insect is practically useless, 

 and the memory even of a naturalist may not always be reliable. 



Pinning is rather unsatisfactory with earwigs and small 

 cockroaches, which certainly keep better carded in the same way 

 as a coleopterist cards his beetles. Nor does this method matter 

 so long as some are mounted in such a way as to show the under- 

 side. Earwigs almost always discolour the cards, so after a time 

 it is necessary to float them off and remount them. This is 

 easily done, as the legs and antennae do not quickly relax. In 

 many cases it is advisable to dissect one of each sex and mount 

 on a card the important or distinctive parts. If neatly done the 

 mounts may be pinned in the cabinet-drawers with the set 

 insects without detracting from the general appearance. 



Nymphs collapse very much in drying. Nevertheless they 

 should be kept also when they can be obtained and identified 

 with certainty. Empty nymph skins might also be preserved. 



No doubt a carded collection of Orthoptera looks much 

 neater than one of pinned specimens, and perhaps some ortho})- 

 terists may prefer this arrangement. If so, for purposes of 

 critical examination, this collection should be supplemented by 

 tubes of specimens. 



