TRANSPORTATION OF INSECTS. 15 



same time a key to the colors, showing the regions embraced 

 by each, should be made on the fly-leaf of the catalogue of the . 

 collection." He also strongly recommends that the "speci- 

 mens should all be pinned at the same height, since the case 

 of recognizing species allied in characters is greatly increased 

 by having them on the same level." 



He also states that "it is better, even when numbers with 

 reference to a catalogue are employed, that the name of each 

 species should be written on a label attached to the first speci- 

 men. Thus the eye is familiarized with the association of the 

 species and its name, memory is aided, and greater power 

 given of identifying species when the cabinet is not at hand." 

 For indicating the sexes the astronomical sign $ (Mars) is 

 used for the male, and ? (Venus) for the female, and 9 for 

 the worker. 



Transportation of Insects. "While travelling, all hard-bodied 

 insects, comprising many Hymenoptera, the Coleoptera, He- 

 miptcra, and many Ncuroptera should be thrown, with their 

 larvae, etc., into bottles and vials filled with strong alcohol. 

 When the bottle is filled new liquor should be poured in, and 

 the old may be saved for collecting purposes ; in this way the 

 specimens will not soften and can be preserved indefinitely, and 

 the colors do not, in most cases, change. Leconte states that 

 "if the bottles are in danger of being broken, the specimens, 

 after remaining for a day or two in alcohol, may be taken out, 

 partially dried by exposure to the air, but not so as to be brit- 

 tle, and these packed in layers in small boxes between soft 

 paper ; the boxes should then be carefully closed with gum- 

 paper or paste, so as to exclude all enemies." 



Lepidoptera and dragon-flies and other soft-bodied insects 

 may be well preserved by placing them in square pieces of 

 paper folded into a triangular form with the edges overlapping. 

 Put up thus, multitudes can be packed away in tin boxes, and 

 will bear transportation to any distance. In tropical climates, 

 chests lined with tin should be made to contain the insect- 

 boxes, which can thus be preserved against the ravages of 

 white ants, etc. 



In sending live larvae by mail, they should be inclosed in 

 little tin boxes, and in sending dry specimens, the box should 

 be light and strong, and directions given at the post-office to 



