Capture and Preservation of Butterflies 



need to be put aside in a dry, airy place to harden, and 

 be secured against the ravages of mice and spiders. For 

 their better protection, it is usual to place them in a 

 " drying case," which need not be an elaborate affair. 

 My drying case was constructed out of an empty box 

 obtained from the grocer ; judging from the legend on 

 the outside it had once contained tins of preserved 

 apples. This is set up on end with the bottom removed 

 and made into cross shelves. Light muslin cloth is 

 tacked on in place of the bottom, so as to admit air but 

 exclude dust. On the front, where the lid was origin- 

 ally nailed, is a hinged frame, covered with the same 

 material, acting as a door. This drying house is not 

 exactly pretty, but it has served its purpose admirably 

 for many years. 



A representative of the larva of each species is now 

 considered essential to a complete collection of butter- 

 flies, and it is rendered even more perfect if egg-shells 

 and chrysalis cases can also be included. 



We now have a fairly easy and reliable process for 

 preserving larvae, a process which any aspiring young 

 collector can carry through without much trouble or 

 expense. It is really very simple and costs little. 

 True, one can purchase apparatus specially made for the 

 work for ten, or even five, shillings, but equally good 

 results can be obtained with the expenditure of a few 

 pence and a little ingenuity. I strongly advise young 

 folk to make their own apparatus ; by so doing they 

 develop resourcefulness, and a handy youngster is not 

 likely to make a failure of his life. 



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