306 ENTOMOLOGY. 



place it under a tumbler with a few drops of ether. When dead wet 

 it with alcohol and place it in 'liquor potassae,' U. S. P., and let it 

 soak until the skin is soft, and until on slight pressure the contents 

 of the intestine can be pressed out through the natural or, if neces- 

 sary, an artificial opening. This is best done under water in a white 

 plate. 



When this is effected the object is to be cleaned. Have a camel's- 

 hair brush in each hand; with one hold the object, and with the 

 other brush every part of the insect on both sides, float it on to a 

 glass slide, and dispose each part in a natural position, either creep- 

 ing or Hying. Cover this with another glass slip of the same size 

 and press gently together, using only sufficient force to make it as 

 thin as possible without crushing or destroying it. Confine the 

 glasses with the insect between them with a fine brass wire, and 

 place them in clean water to remain 24 or 36 hours; this will give the 

 insect a position which is not easily changed, and it is therefore 

 proper that the position be such as you desire when the insect is 

 finished. Remove the wire and open the glasses carefully under 

 water and float the insect off, give it another brushing, and let it 

 remain a few hours to remove the potassa. Transfer to a small but 

 suitable vessel containing the strongest alcohol that can be obtained, 

 pursuing the same course as with the water, placing the specimen 

 between glass slips tied together, and let it remain about 24 hours. 



Transfer to a vessel containing spirits of turpentine; it is to remain 

 in this, kept between the glasses, until all the water is removed. 

 While in the spirits of turpentine, the insect is to be released several 

 times, and the moisture removed from the glasses, and the insect 

 again confined. When no moisture is seen to surround the insect, 

 heat the glass slips containing the insect over a spirit-lamp until the 

 contained turpentine nearly boils, when, if any moisture is present, it 

 will show its presence when the glasses are cold. 



If free from moisture it is ready for mounting. Float it onto a 

 suitable slide from the turpentine, drop a sufficient quantity of bal- 

 sam upon it, examine and see that no foreign substances are present, 

 heat the cover slightly, and apply in the usual way. After a day or 

 two heat the slide moderately and press out the surplus balsam, and 

 place a small weight upon the cover while drying. After the lapse 

 of a suitable time, remove the surplus balsam and clean the 

 slide. 



In all the operations the utmost cleanliness is essential. The 

 liquids used should be frequently filtered and kept from dust, and a 

 large share of patience will be found necessary. 



After sufficient time has been given to allow the balsam to harden 

 so that the cleaning will not displace the cover, remove the surplus 



