PRESERVING INSECTS. 73 



it in ruins. Spirits of turpentine, poured into a 

 common glass inkstand in which there is a piece of 

 sponge, and placed in a corner of your box, will 

 create a poisoned atmosphere, and kill every insect 

 there. The poisoning of your specimens by means 

 of corrosive sublimate in alcohol is a most effectual 

 method. As soon as the operation is properly per- 

 formed, the depredating insect perceives that the 

 prepared specimen is no longer food for it, and will 

 for ever cease to attack it. But, then, every part 

 must have received the poison ; otherwise those parts 

 where the poison has not reached will still be ex- 

 posed to the enemy ; and he will pass unhurt over 

 the poisoned parts, till he arrive at that part of your 

 specimen which is still wholesome food for him. 

 Now, the difficulty lies in applying the solution to 

 very minute specimens, without injuring their ap- 

 pearance ; and all that can be said is, to recommend 

 unwearied exertion, which is sure to be attended 

 with great skill ; and great skill will insure surprising 

 success. I myself have attended to the preservation 

 of insects with the assiduity which Horace recom- 

 mends to poets : " Nocturna versate manu, versate 

 diurna." The result has been astonishing success, 

 and a perfect conviction that there is no absolute 

 and lasting safety for prepared specimens in zoology, 

 from the depredations of insects, except by poisoning 

 every part of them with a solution of corrosive sub- 

 limate in alcohol. I put a good large teaspoonful of 

 well pounded corrosive sublimate into a wine bottle 

 full of alcohol. I let it stand over night, and the 

 next morning draw it off into a clean bottle. When 



