RELAXING INSECTS. 



125 



their stings. Their larva; resemble grubs or iiiaggots, ami may be 

 preserved in alcohol or liquor. 



Flies and mosquitoes cari be killed with the Cyanid;- Bottle, or 

 pinned alive. The long-leg:.',ed species should have a piece of card- 

 board placed under their bodies upon which their legs may rest, 

 and this prevents their loss by breakage. Dung, mould in hollow 

 trees, stems of plants and putrid flesh contain numerous larvre of 

 these insects ; they may be preserved in alcohol. 



To relax dried specimens, take a large earthen pot with a lid to 

 it, which can be bought at any crockery store, in this put about three 

 inches of clean white sand. Pour in water enough to penetrate it 

 through and through, but don't make it too wet ; then smooth the 

 sand over and lay thereon two thicknesses of clean white 

 paper. On this lay your, specimens that need softening and put on 

 the lid and allow them to remain for twenty-four hours. At the 

 end of this time they can be moved in any position and are ready 

 for the setting-board, where they should be adjusted as before di- 

 rected. All specimens when put into the cabinet should be care- 

 fully labeled, recording the date and locality in which they were 

 found. Notes of various circumstances relative to their habits, ob- 

 served at the time of capture, etc., should also be recorded in a 

 book. 



Camphor, creosote, cyanide of potassium, benzine and turpen- 

 tine are used in cabinets to prevent the ravages of Anthremis^ 

 Dermestes^ etc., but all tend to fade the brighter colors of moths 

 and butterflies. 



In this connection I can only quote: '* Eternal vigilance is the 

 price of liberty." 



