and Preserving Animals. 289 



l7isecta. 



Some specimens of all kinds of insects should be preserved, for ana- 

 tomical examination, in spirit, or the solution No. I. Many of the 

 softer kinds of insects and spiders can onl}' be profitably so pre- 

 served. Care must be taken that the softer kinds of insects are not 

 put into the same bottle with the harder kinds. Gauze nets must 

 be used for catching the Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) on the 

 wing, and a fine muslin net, like a landing-net, for the water insects. 

 Many species may be taken by spreading a cloak, or placing an open 

 umbrella reversed under ti'ees or bushes, and shaking or beating the 

 latter. Caterpillars should be carefully placed in a perforated box 

 with the leaves of the plants on which they are found feeding : they 

 will often undergo their metamorphosis in this captivity ; and no 

 Lepidoptera are more perfect than those thus bred, as it is termed, 

 if carefully watched. The perfect insect should be accompanied, if 

 possible, by its larva (caterpillar), and pupa (chrysalis or cocoon), 

 together with a specimen of the plant on which it is found feeding. 

 The latter should be kept in an herbarium set apart for the pur- 

 pose, and should have a number corresponding with that of the in- 

 sect. Larvae and pupae may be preserved in spirit or solution, as 

 well as a specimen of every perfect insect that can be spared, with 

 a view to anatomical investicration. It must be remembered that the 

 larvaj will very soon lose their colours when so treated, and, in order 

 to retain these, a specimen or two of the larger ones and of their 

 pupje may be opened, the viscera removed, and the inside, after it 

 has been brushed with arseniate soap, stuffed with cotton. Boxes 

 lined with cork are the best conveyances for dried butterflies, moths, 

 and indeed for insects in general ; or they may be pinned in the 

 crown of the hat until they can be transferred to a place of safety. 

 The more delicate insects, such as butterflies, moths, sphinxes, the 

 different species of mantis, the locusts, dragon-flies, &c., after being 

 killed by pressure on the thorax, should be pinned down, while in a 

 relaxed state, with the w'mcrs and legs kept close to the body, to save 

 .space, and prevent collision. The pin should be greased or oiled, 

 to prevent rust ; and if pointed at both ends the specimen more 

 readily admits of being turned. The pin should be made fast, so as 

 to allow of the motion of the box in all directions, and the fastening 

 must be adjusted to the weight of the insect. The harder winged 

 insects may be killed by immersion in hot water, and after having 

 been dried on blotting paper, may be laid carefully in boxes upon 

 cotton, so as not to interfere with or injure each other. A ready 

 mode of preserving beetles (CoUoptera), when found in abundance on 

 any foreign coast, is to put them, when dried, in a box, in the bot- 

 tom of which a layer of fine dry sand has been strewed. When the 

 layer is overspread with beetles, they must be covered with another 

 layer of .'^and, and the packer must proceed with layers of beetles and 



