574 LABELLING DIPTEBA. 



Specimens named by specialists should be so labelled, the- 

 customary contraction being " det. Kertcsz," " det. F. W. Theob." 

 and so on ; and on the same label should be written the name 

 of the species, and, if confirmed by the specialist, other dala such 

 as sex, type, co-type, etc. A separate label should be used for 

 " Jones coll.," " Brown coll.," etc. 



Regard must be had to the size and nature of the labels. White 

 stiff paper only should be employed, a variety of colours to designate 

 zoological distribution destroying the general effect of a collection, 

 and they should be cut as small as conveniently possible, according 

 to the size of the insect, and should always be attached face 

 uppermost so that the information can be read without removing 

 the specimen. In the case of copious details, two or more labels- 

 must be employed ; large, unwieldly labels must be avoided, and 

 especially folded labels, except in very special instances. The 

 uppermost label should bear the date and locality, with the 

 collector's name placed sideways ; further details, if provided, on 

 a second label, the name of the species on a third, and (if desired) 

 the name of the collection on a fourth ; but space must be left 

 beneath the lowermost label to enable the forceps to grasp the 

 pin. All the labels should be placed so as to be read from the 

 right-hand side of the insect. 



It is hardly necessary to add that any system of numbers only 

 or hieroglyphics, bearing reference to a catalogue for details, is 

 entirely out of the question, as the catalogue once lost, the 

 collection loses a great part of its value. 



In arranging specimens in the cabinet, divide a drawer of 

 16 or 18 inches square into five or six vertical columns by means 

 of pencilled lines and then place in each column the males to the 

 left and the females to the right, two or three of each side by side 

 in n horizontal row, following with successive rows till the series 

 of that species is exhausted, under which place the specific name r 

 with its author. Generic names are placed at the top of each 

 column. The plan of thus dividing the sexes greatly facilitates 

 reference. 



Some preservative is necessary to prevent mites and mould 

 from ruining one's collection, and in temperate climates camphor 

 or naphthaline keeps away the former and a little carbolic acid or 

 creosote on cotton wool prevents the latter. In tropical climates 

 a collection of Diptera is extremely liable to mould during the 

 long rainy season and requires constant attention. 



