/7.7>/.7/i TNQ TNSEi ' - 241 



taken out, part ially dried bj . bul i 



as to be brittle, and these packed in u small I 



between Bofl paper; the bo liould then be carefully 



closed with gum-paper or paste, .-«> as to exclude all enem 



Lepidoptera and dragon-fliea and other Boft-bodied in- 

 - in;i\ be well preserved by placing them in square 

 pieces nf paper folded into a triangular form with tl 

 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 ra\ E white ants. etc. 



In sending live larva? by mail, they should be inclosed in 

 little tin boxes; and in Bending dr\ specimens, the 1">\ should 

 l>e light and strong, and directions given at the post-office 

 to stamp the box lightly, [n sending boxes by express, they 

 should be carefully packed in a larger box having an 

 interspace of two inches, which can be filled in tightly with 

 hay or crumpled bits of paper. Hectic- can lie wrapped in 

 pieces di' .-nit paper. Labels f or alcoholic s should 



consist of parchment, with the locality, date of capture, and 

 name of collector written in ink. A temporary label of firm 

 paper, with the locality, etc., written with a pencil, will 

 last tor we\ oral years. 



Preservation of Larvae. — Alcoholic specimens of ins< 

 in all stages of growth, are very useful. Few collections 



contain alcoholic specimens of the adult insect. This is 

 a mistake. Many of the most important characters are 

 effaced during the drying process, and for pun 

 general study alcoholic specimens, even of bees, Lepidop- 

 tera, Diptera, and dragon-flies, are very necessary. 

 Larvae, generally, may be well preserved in vials 

 of alcohol with rubber corks.* They should ; put 



* Although rubber stoppers are more expensive than I cork 



stoppers, they are more durable, and prevent evap i it ion vastly better; 

 in corking, run an insect-pin down by the cork, allowing ii to remain 

 in Cor a while, thus allowing the air to escape and preventing the 



