i/"/\\ TINQ l \ -!'< T& 305 



tion. Beveral examples are then careful) roasted ii f hoi 



such a< thai li ;ni inelim made 



hot, or dried ou of paper uv beated metal plate. 



" Win ii dry, the specimens are mounted «u card ly iittachmenl with 

 gum tragacauth; Mr. J, W. 1 ' 



iently on mica, called ' talc " in the shops, \\ bich, as it is incomb 

 ble, i- well suited for a Bupport botb before aud after drj u 



'• 'l*lii- method is vouched for as good 

 Mayer, and Kudow. 



"I bave not tried this roasting process, but it mu-t require some 

 address i<> prevenl the shrivelling of wings in such delicately-formed 

 insects, and to provide against the bursting action of the boiling ju 



"A more complete bistory of the process than the foregoing was 

 given by Mr Douglas in 1878 



'• .M. Li< btenstein has many times been g 1 enough to forward in 



letters to me preparations of Aphides which bave been secured he- 

 ft two films of mica. The insects, be explains, are immersed in 

 a solution of resin in turpentine, 'a natural am In r,' aud, wben all are 

 in due position, the mica films arc placed >.\ i r apertures in card, and 

 then gummed papers, similarly perforat pressed upon them. 



This ' ures all in their pi- ■ 



Methods and operations in science, like events in history, repent 

 themselves, l'il'i \ j I mica w 



for the microscope, and b< fore the manufacture of the thin glass now 

 bo commonly used it admirably answered its purpose. Under 

 magnifying powers, such as ,\_. in., ii will be found even m 

 great service. The mineral may be split by the laucet into tilms 

 much thinner than glass can be blown in a fiat state. Small un- 

 BCratched piect - maj be -elected which are perfectly transparent, ami 

 their cost is quite trifling. 



"On account of the bigb refracting power of Canada balsam, the 

 colors of rcceh i h immersed Aphides show themselves verj brightly . 

 and it Bometimi - happens that tints quite lust through irradiatii 

 glance on the surfaces, become distinct by in aim. -it with this : 



"The bright colors and marking mespei i< 



ot the internal juices of the insects. These canuol 1 by 



balsam, bul it is otbx rw ise w ith th< pigmi nts w hi. b stain 

 whal hornj coverings of the thorax and abdomen, Tl. 

 persistent. Monog. British Aphides," iv. ! v " 



Thomas W. Starr's Method of Preparing and Mounting, with Pressure, 

 Insects Entire as Transparent Objects.* Aftet 



* This, with the three following notes, wen ki I j communia 

 by N. N. Mason, Esq. 



