PRESERVATION OF TN& 



may be placed loosely in a box carried for i he purpose. The 

 specimens can thus be taken out at leisure, killed by applying 

 a camel's-hair pencil dipped in ether, chloroform, or ben- 

 zine to the under side of the body, and then spread on the 

 setting-hoard. In mosl species the colors change after 

 death, hence ii is important to make short description 

 the colors before killing the speci mens. " The smaller, more 

 slender, and delicate Neuroptera Bhould be pinned directly 

 in the collecting-box. Many specie-: are caught by a light 

 in the night-time, such as Polystcechotes nebulosus and the 

 caddis-flies (Neuronia semifasciata, etc.); ami a bright 

 lighl placed in damp situations by stream will attract 



Large numbers, the .-mailer species, like moths, being at- 

 tracted a great distance by light. Other species of this 

 group, so numerous in the Northern States, arc found in 

 great numbers floating on lakes and ponds. Forthe proper 

 study of tin' genera of these insects, ami often of the 

 species, thej should la' collected in alcohol, so as to he 

 studied in a flexible Stat 



The aquatic larva- and pupa' can he reared in aquaria in 

 jars and tumblers, taking care that the weaker 

 separated from those more powerful and bloodthirsty. The 

 little Entomostraca, or water-fleas, serve as food for the 

 smaller species. With care many species can be reared in 

 this way; and so little is known of their transformations 

 that figures and descriptions would he of great value. The 

 interesting and varied habits of the different families can 

 also easily be noted. 



Preparation of May-flies (Ephemeral. — The \\ ings of dried 

 specimens, Bays Rev. A. E. Eaton, in his monograph of the 

 group (pag . in Borne of the genera are apt 



pletely Bhrivelled up. When such is the 

 may he had to the following method of preparii m for 



examination: The wing detached from tl imen is 



tirst of all floated upon scalding water, and induced to 

 expand as fully as possible whilst it is floi . [t is next 



