276 ENTOMOLOGY. 



paper." This work can be done in the autumn and early 

 spring, as the tufts are favorite hibernating places, Staphy- 

 linidse most commonly taking refuge in them. 



Beetles may be kept soft and flexible so as to be sent 

 through the mail in boxes without being pinned and with- 

 out danger of breaking, by being prepared in the following 

 manner, as recommended by Mr. J. B. Smith. They 

 should be soaked for a week or more in a fluid composed 

 of 100 grams of alum, 25 of salt, 12 of saltpetre, 60 of 

 potash, and 10 of white arsenic dissolved in 3000 grams of 

 boiling water. This solution should be filtered, and when 

 cold add to every ten parts, four of glycerine and one of 

 methyl alcohol. {Psyche, iv. 140.) 



Rearing Tiger and Ground Beetles. — Mr. F. G. Schaupp, 

 who had good success in raising tiger and ground beetles 

 from the larva, pursued the following method: For Cicin- 

 delae he made a box of wood (2xl|xl foot), with openings 

 covered by glass and woven wire, such as is used for fine 

 screens, and filled it with sand half a foot deep, making 

 here and there a few miniature hills, and in the middle of 

 the box a valley, in which he placed a flat tin pan filled 

 with water, while at the two sides he placed pieces of turf 

 to represent a meadow. He fed the larvas with different 

 kinds of soft grubs, such as those of small Chrysomelids 

 (Criocerns asparagi and Diabrotica, etc.), and kept the 

 Cicindela beetles for over two months, when they mated and 

 dug holes in the sand ; in such a box the eggs may be laid 

 and the larvae reared. For raising beetles from the eggs 

 he also used boxes of zinc, the two longer sides and the 

 cover of glass, the two smaller sides of wire cloth.* He 

 succeeded in obtaining larvae from Cucujus clavipes. He 

 fed the beetles and larvre with sugar-water, with which he 

 soaked small thin pieces of wood. The species of Cychrus 

 were fed on snails, but they also readily feed on the soft 



* He also used empty tomato or fruit cans, with the upper edge 

 cut smooth and covered by fine wire cloth, fastened by a cord or tin 



ring. 



