COLLECTION OF INSECTS. 71 



used for minerals- Indeed, I know of no way of show- 

 ing" any of the smaller specimens, such as shells, bird's- 

 eggs, insects, and fossils, to so good advantage as to set 

 each by itself on a white block of suitable size. 



I will add for the benefit of our young- entomologists 

 a few hints on methods of observation furnished by Prof. 

 G. Howard Parker, of Cambridge, and Prof. Asa Pack- 

 ard, Jr., of Providence. Every naturalist should have a 

 pocket note-book always with him, and make careful en- 

 tries of such points as are here indicated. Suppose, for 

 example, you take first, butterflies and moths. It would 

 be an excellent plan to prepare a paper, in which you 

 might: 



1. Give a brief but clear description of the ORDER (LEPI- 

 DOPTERA). 



2. Give a careful report of your own observations on any 

 one species of the order. In this report should be included: 



A. DESCRIPTION of the insect, accurate as may be, 

 and, if possible, accompanied by drawings, however rude. 



This description should be made as follows : 



a. If a moth or butterfly, note: 1st. The form of the 

 Antennae, whether pectinated or simply hairy or spindle- 

 shaped. 2d. The form and size of palpi, and length of tongue. 

 3d. Wings: First pair, form, shape of costal, apex, outer-edge 

 veins. Second pair, same. 4th. Markings on wings. 5th. 

 Feet, spurs. 



b. If a caterpillar, note: 1st. Form of head, wider or nar- 

 rower than segment next. 2d. Dorsal, subdorsal, and lateral 

 stripes. 3d. Position of tubercles, warts or spines, and spots. 

 4th. Spiracular line. 5th. Supra-anal plate; its form and 

 markings. 6th. Number of abdominal legs, and form of last 

 pair. 



c. Difference in coloration of the sexes; varieties observed; 

 probable cause of such variation, such as differences of food, 

 location and time of year. 



B. HABITS. Date of appearance and disappearance of 

 the perfect insect; number of annual broods; localities most 

 favorable, etc. 



