COLLECTING, PRESERVING, AND MOUNTING. i 
due to the proportionate amount of blood, lymph, and inflammatory 
exudate that has been engorged. 
The internal anatomy of ticks has been studied by a number of 
investigators, among whom mention should be made of Heller (1858), 
Pagenstecher (1861), Williams (1905), Allen (1905), Christophers 
(1906), Bonnet (1907), Nordenskiéld (1908, 1909), and Samson (1909). 
COLLECTING, PRESERVING, AND MOUNTING. 
Owing to the fact that very few entomologists or zoologists have 
had experience with the systematic collection of ticks a few sugges- 
tions along this line may prove of value. The writers have found 
that in many instances zoologists have received and handled speci- 
mens of skins and living animals to which ticks were attached and 
entirely overlooked these parasites. In other cases the ticks were 
seen but were not preserved. The ease with which this class of para- 
sites may be preserved should encourage zoologists to keep on the 
lookout for them and to collect all specimens seen. 
Persons who collect specimens of ticks should record the host, point 
of attachment, date, and locality. All parts of the host, including 
the inside of the ears, should be closely examined. Upon the 
discovery of a female, and before removing it, the collector should 
search closely for the male, which may be attached near by. 
A pair of forceps will be found useful in removing the smaller 
ticks. Those with short mouthparts are readily removed without 
injury, but many, particularly those of the genus Ixodes, are usually 
so firmly attached that the body of the tick will be separated 
from the capitulum unless the latter is firmly grasped. Some ixo- 
dologists have recommended the application of a penetrating oil and 
waiting for the tick to loosen its hold, but this will seldom be found 
necessary. 
In collecting ticks from small animals which have been shot or 
trapped, a supply of small cotton bags should be at hand into which 
the host can be placed as soon as shot and the bag firmly tied to pre- 
vent the escape of the ticks. In this way specimens may be exam- 
ined at the collector’s convenience and notes may be made on the 
habits of the ticks. If the host animal is too large to be bagged it 
should be examined at once over some white surface, such as white 
cotton cloth spread over the ground. The importance of immediate 
examination is emphasized, as the writers have found that larve of 
the rabbit tick and of other species with short hypostomes commence 
to leave the host within a very few minutes after the animal is killed. 
Ticks with long hypostomes, such as Ixodes, are sometimes unable to 
detach, and therefore remain upon the animal. In a number of 
21448°—Bull. 106—12——2 
