75 



cork^ and letting the cork float in a bason half 

 filled with water, taking care that no part of 

 the insect touches the cork. If the bason be 

 covered with a damp cloth;, they will be the 

 sooner relaxed. If the insects are not pierced 

 with a pin they should be laid in the lid of a tin 

 box, and placed on the floating cork 3 beetles, 

 &c. may be placed on damp flannel in a plate 

 and covered with a bason. Some insects re- 

 quire a very short time to relax, others several 

 days J they may be set by means of braces 

 and pins, in the same manner as recent speci- 

 mens. 



If by any accident a leg or any part of an in- 

 sect be broken it should immediately be gummed 

 on, and on no account whatever, should the 

 vile practice of supplying limbs from another 

 insect be adopted. Mouldy insects may be 

 cleaned by means of a camel's hair pencil, dipped 

 in spirits of wine 3 but it should be very sparing- 

 ly used for high coloured species. 



The colours of the dragon Jlies (LihellulidctJ and 



