DECEMBER 



As there is now but little work to be done, out-of-doors, and as that may 

 be impeded by frost, or snow, the reader may be reminded that this is a con- 

 venient period for over-hauling his collection ; carrying out any re-arrange- 

 ment that, in these days of name-changing, may be deemed desirable ; or 

 clearing out duplicate boxes, and otherwise preparing for the campaign next 

 season. Mitey specimens, if worth preserving, may be "doctored" with a 

 diluted solution of corrosive sublimate, dissolved in alcohol, or vinegar ; or 

 with a weak solution of phenic acid in alcohol, or naphtha. 



As papered drawers and boxes are often objectionable, from the trouble 

 they involve, and the obstacle presented to the entrance of fine pins into the 

 cork, by the coat of paper and paste, it may be desirable to whiten the cork 

 instead. To carry this out properly the paper shoud be entirely removed 

 from the cork, and the drawer cleaned. Then take as much laevigated oxide 

 of zinc as may be deemed necessary, with a minute portion of indigo or 

 ultramarine, to give greater whiteness, and gently add, mixing with a spatula, 

 as much skimmed milk as will form with it a mixture of the consistence ot 

 cream ; then with a soft, flat camel's hair brush apply the mixture evenly over 

 the surface ; by means of a dabber of muslin or cambric eliminate the lines 

 formed by the brush, and dry slowly at some distance from the fire. 



The following are stated to be preferable modes of keeping insects in 

 cabinets or boxes to the ordinary camphor method : Treat each drawer, or 

 box, to a fumigation, for a day or two, of Bisulphate of Carbon, by placing a 

 small piece of sponge partially soaked with the fluid in the corner. If this 

 is done once a-year or so, it is said to be perfectly effective in preventing the 

 appearance of mites, beetles, or other enemies. This is the material 

 employed by many dealers for preserving their large stocks of insects. The 

 reader, however, ought to be warned that so offensive is the smell of this 

 enemy of animal life, that it can only be applied in cases where a spare room 

 is available for the purpose. Dr. Laboulbene gives the preference over every 

 other insect preservative to a solution of equal parts of phenic acid and pure 

 benzine, dropped on a small piece of sponge, and placed in the corner of 

 the box, or drawer. This is stated to have the advantage of arresting fungoid 

 growths. 



OVA! 



T. quercus on oak twigs T. cratsegi on hawthorn ; also 



w- album on wytch elm, also s. sloe, sallow, birch, oak 



elm; on the twigs P. populi on oak, poplar, lime, 



pruni on sloe twigs ash, hawthorn 



L. JEgon on Ornithopus per- B. neustria on sloe, hawthorn, 



pusillus ; white fruit trees ; in batches, round 



H. comma on trefoil, and other twigs, and branches 



Leguminosse (l castrensis on Artemisia man- 



L. monacha on oak, beech, fir, tima, Daucus maritimus, c. 



birch, apple, &c. E. vespertaria ...on nut 



