180 APHOBISMATA ENTOMOLOGICA. 



then when once shifted it is easily taken oxit altogether. Otherwise in pressing 

 downwards against the thorax of the insect, you can hardly fail to injure the 

 down. 



The pieces of silver paper are first to be made of a square shape, and then 

 one corner should be torn off, which part should be placed against the base 

 of the fore wings, and thus they will be found to lie better upon them, and 

 be more readily kept in place by the first windings of the thread. "Crede 

 ey.perto." 



Another advantage of the silver paper is, that if the wings be completely 

 covered with it, as they should be, no dust can accumulate upon them previous 

 to the insects being placed for safety in the cabinet. This is no small advantage, 

 for, even if ever so carefully kept otherwise, some amount of the evil so much 

 to be guarded against cannot but befal. 



If you are at all in haste to have any relaxed specimens dried, you can 

 accomplish the object by placing them within your fender, namely, if the fire 

 in the grate be lighted; but observe, for good efi'ect in this process, the wings 

 should be completely covered and well held down in every part with the .silver 

 paper, as otherwise they might and would spring up out of place here and 

 there, in a manner the very reverse of desirable. 



Item. — They should not be taken off too soon, but to speak scientifically, 

 the caloric absorbed should be suffered gradually to evaporate ; in plain Englisli, 

 they should be left untouched till quite cool again. 



But — Memento — beware of sparks, and do not stir your fire while the insects 

 are drying before it. If you are a lady, (and I am happy to know that there 

 are entomological ladies, and happy to think that there may be some such 

 among my readers,) take my advice, and never stir the fire at all. There are 

 several good and weighty reasons for this advice; one is, if I may be pardoned 

 for saying so, that no woman ever could stir a fire. Do not, therefore, try — 

 be content with excelling men in many important particulars; and "assure 

 yoursel\'es of my high consideration." 



N B. — Do not dry recent specimens in this waj'. — Cardinal Mazarin's motto, 

 "I and Time," should be yours, as it is mine — practically speaking. 



' ' TRANSPAEENCIES." 



I HAVE found b}- experience that the silver paper over the wings presents one 

 hindrance, namely, that it prevents your seeing through it to ascertain whether 

 on their final adjustment the wings are perfectly even on both sides or not. To 

 remedy this defect, I liave adopted the expedient of procuring transparent silver 

 paper, through which you can see sufficiently well for the purpose; it should 

 of course be the thinnest and finest that can be obtained. It is to be had of 

 any bookseller, and is called Tracing paper; you can, if necessary, make it 

 for yourself, by slightly oiling common silver paper. 



