MOSQUITOES {CULICDI.^), 89 



Transmission of Specimens to England. 



Pinned specimens of mosquitoes, like those of other insects, rapidly 

 develop mould during the rainy season in tropical countries ; and 

 since mouldy specimens are practically worthless for purposes of 

 scientific determination, the insects should be sent home as soon as 

 possible after being collected. To contain the specimens, if a proper 

 entomological store-box is not available, any small strongly made 

 box (such as a cigar-box) will serve, in the bottom of which a layer 

 of cork-carpet is firmly fixed. The greatest care must be taken to 

 prevent specimens getting loose and rolling about in transit, since 

 in this way a single loose disc might easily destroy or hopelessly 

 damage all the other specimens in the box. To prevent this, the 

 pins supporting the cards should be inserted as tightly as possible 

 into the cork-carpet, and they should all be driven in to the same 

 level. Other pins may be inserted between the discs to stop them 

 turning round, and so rubbing against the next insect. Some flake 

 naphthaline, in a muslin bag, should be firmly fixed in each box to 

 keep off mites, which often destroy collections in transit. If this 

 cannot be obtained, then solid naphthaline or camphor may be used, 

 but then even greater care must be taken to secure it firmly in the 

 box. The box containing the specimens should be well wrapped in 

 cotton-wool or similar material, and firmly packed in an outer bo2^ 

 for transmission ("by parcel-post^ to England. 



