CABINETS. 123 



lowing each other in a line of three, four or more, if a 

 variable species ; the upper specimens should be males, 

 the lower females. Diptera, Hymenoptera, and Neurop- 

 tera should be arranged in the same way. Coleoptera 

 should be placed in rows, three abreast ; the upper three 

 males, the lower three females. All these should have 

 closed wings, as the under wings are not at present em- 

 ployed for any scientific purpose, neither do they in any 

 way add to the beauty or neatness of a collection. Or- 

 thoptera should be placed three maks and three females 

 abreast, as the Coleoptera, and then a single open-winged 

 specimen below them : the same plan should be adopted 

 with the Hemiptera. 



Preserved insects should be kept perfectly dry. They 

 are subject to three very annoying casualties, which it 

 must be the constant study of the entomologist to coun- 

 teract ; these are destruction by mites, &c., mouldiness, 

 and greasiness. Destruction by mites, the larvae of Der- 

 mestites, Ptinites, and Tineites, is very much avoided by 

 attending to three rules : put every specimen into the 

 drawers perfectly dry; never leave the glass off; and keep 

 a good supply of camphor always in the drawer. Either 

 of these depredators makes its presence instantly known by 

 an appearance of dust below the specimen attacked. The 

 best way on discovering this, is to take out the insect, and 

 if a beetle, to dip it instantly in boiling water ; then, after 

 thoroughly drying it, return it to its place. If any other 

 insect, baking in a moderately hot oven will be found an 

 effectual cure. 



Mouldiness is completely remedied in beetles by immer- 

 sion in boiling water, and after brushing them with a 

 camel's hair pencil, drying them thoroughly, and returning 

 them to their places ; in other insects, spirits of wine care- 

 fully applied with a camel's hair pencil effects a cure. 



