18 THE COCCIDAE 



The fast method consists in placing the specimens removed 

 from the host-plant in a casserole into which should be poured 

 enough caustic potash to cover the bottom to a depth of one-fourth 

 to one-half inch. The cover should be added and the solution 

 should be heated until it just simmers. If the solution becomes in 

 great part evaporated before the specimens are clarified, either 

 more caustic potash should be added or some distilled water. 



The slow method differs from the fast method in that a cold 

 solution is used. The specimens clarified in this way will need 

 from eight hours to several days depending upon the size of the 

 specimens, the amount of wax, and their opacity. Either Syracuse 

 watch-glasses or four drachm homeopathic vials should be used. 

 This method does away with a great part of the handling of the 

 specimens and the chance of breakage from the boiling solution. 

 The fluids can be decanted off, if desired, and the specimens left 

 in the vials or watch-glasses. This method is not practical for 

 those species that require a long treatment, even by the fast 

 method, as many Coccinae. It is especially useful in preparing 

 specimens of Diaspidinae, which are usually clarified by a 

 treatment over night. The action can be hastened by pouring a 

 hot solution into the vials containing the specimens. Hot solutions 

 should not be used with the watch-glasses as the danger of breakage 

 from the heat is considerable. 



Other substances can be used for dissolving the wax, as carbon 

 bisulphide, sulphuric ether, xylol, or chloroform. The last of these 

 is the only one of much value. The powdery or cottony wax, when 

 present in small quantities, can be dissolved with chloroform. It 

 does not expand shrivelled specimens and its most important use 

 is in preparing specimens of Diaspidinae where good prepar- 

 ations of the fringe are especially to be desired. Specimens can 

 be mounted in xylol balsam directly from the chloroform. 



Washing. The specimens after the clarifying is completed 

 need to be thoroughly washed in distilled water in order to remove 

 all traces of the caustic potash. If the fast method was used, the 

 specimens can be boiled in distilled water. The washing can be 

 done whether the fast or slow method was used, by soaking the 

 specimens for an hour or more in cold distilled water. They should 

 be transferred from the casserole, if the fast method was used, to 

 watch-glasses or vials, if already in such receptables, the caustic 

 potash can be poured off and replaced by water. The specimens 

 should be carried through several changes of distilled water, three 

 to five, whether they are boiled in it or not. 



