2405 SUBKIKGDOM ARTICULATA. 



The Articulata are divided by many Naturalists into two 

 groups, the Arthropoda (including the Insecta and Crusta- 

 cea) and the Vermes. The former are characterized by the 

 presence and the latter by the absence of jointed appen- 

 dages. 



The classification of the Vermes is still in an unsettled 

 state, very little being known concerning the lower forms, 

 and almost every Naturalist holding views of his own. 



HINTS FOR PRESERVING INSECTS, CRUSTACEA, Etc. 



Prof. Packard, in his " Guide to the Study of Insects," recommends 

 preparing a wide-mouth collecting bottle by putting two or three 

 small pieces of cyanide of potassium (pupils should remember that 

 this is very poisonous) in the bottom and covering with perforated paper. 

 Insects of every kind dropped in, die instantly. A bottle well-prepared 

 will last for months. The nests, cocoons and chrysalids of insects may 

 be preserved from injury from other insects by being soaked in arseni- 

 ated alcohol, or dipped into benzine, or a solution of carbolic acid or 

 creosote. " Setting-boards " for spreading the wings may be made by 

 sawing in a thick board deep grooves of varying widths, and glueing 

 at the bottom of each a strip of cork or pith. The body of the insect 

 having been placed in a groove and the wings set horizontally, square 

 pieces of glass may be laid upon them until they are dry. Bottles 

 containing sponges saturated with benzine should be kept in the cases 

 containing the specimens. 



All Crustacea may be preserved by drying, after eviscerating the 

 larger specimens. Caterpillars may be preserved with the colors 

 unchanged, according to Mr. E. Burgess, by immersing them in 

 boiling water thirty or forty seconds, and then placing them in equal 

 parts of alcohol and water. Worms must be kept in spirit. Star- 

 fishes and all the ecbinodenns die instantly on being immersed in 

 fresh water. 



