40 
which they are to be well soaked with the solution of corrosive 
sublimate, and allowed to dry perfectly before being packed. 
INSECTS. 
’ These animals are to be met with in great abundance in 
every habitable region of the globe, and form very pleasing 
objects for display ina museum, from the variety of their 
form, and the splendour of their colouring. 
Those which belong to the order lepidoptera, such as but- 
terflies and moths, as well as some other insects, can only be 
_ preserved by sticking them with pins proportioned to their 
size, in a box lined with cork, or some soft wood, or with wax. 
Their wings require to be kept extended with small card braces, 
until they become stiff. Needles should never be used in- 
stead of pins, as their points are soon destroyed by rust, and 
the insects lost. With butterflies it is desirable to have two 
specimens of each, that when placed in a cabinet, the upper 
and under sides may both be exhibited. 
The usual method of killing them, is by pinching them on 
the breast with the finger and thumb; but as this is not always 
found effectual, it is recommended to make trial of the intro- 
duction of a small quantity of solution of arsenic into the un- 
der side of the body, alongside the pin with which the insect 
is stuck, making a puncture with another coarser pin, and put- 
ting in the liquid with a camel’s hair pencil. The solution is 
made by simply pouring a small quantity of boiling water on 
the arsenic. 
The insects belonging to almost all the other orders,” such as 
beetles, cockroaches, bees, flies, spiders, scorpions, &c. &c. 
are at once killed by plunging them into boiling water, and 
withdrawing them as quickly as possible after death, when they 
may be stuck with pins as above, or they may be ‘killed, and 
preserved without further trouble, by putting them into bottles 
containing any kind of strong spirits. 
When the bodies of insects intended to be preserved in the 
dry state, are very large and fleshy, it will add to their security 
