Preparing and Mounting Entomological Specimens. 95 



carefully watched and the action of the potash tested. 

 This can be ascertained by pressing on the thorax or 

 chest of the insect with some blunt instrument, such as 

 the head of a pair of curved pointed forceps. 



(3) When soft enough, pour away the potash, and add 

 water, which must be changed several times until all the 

 potash is washed away. 



(4) Pour away the water and add concentrated acetic 

 acid, and soak for twelve hours, or until you are ready to 

 go on with the work. 



(5) Transfer from acetic acid to water, and soak for 

 about half an hour ; then place in a shallow saucer full of 

 water, and with the aid of a needle and a camel's hair 

 brush spread out the wings, legs, etc. Now take a slide 

 and place it in the water under the insect, lift the slide up 

 carefully so that the insect may be stranded on the surface 

 of the slide with all its parts expanded. Drain off the 

 excess of water, and lay the slide down on a piece of white 

 paper, and with the aid of needles or brushes carefully 

 place all the limbs, wings, antennae, etc., in their natural 

 positions. Now put a narrow slip of paper on each slide of 

 the insect, and carefully lay another slide over it, press it 

 down until the insect is squeezed quite flat, tie the two slides 

 together with a piece of twine, and place them in a jar of 

 methylated spirit for at least twelve hours, or until required. 



(6) Eemove the glasses from the spirit, carefully separate 

 them, and with a soft camel's hair brush push the insect 

 off the glass into a saucer of spirit. 



(7) Take the insect up on a lifter, and float it on to the 

 surface of a small saucer of clove oil, and allow it to soak 

 for ten to fifteen minutes. 



(8) Kemove from clove oil and place in turpentine for a 

 few minutes. 



(9) Mount in Canada balsam as directed for animal and 

 botanical sections. 



To Mount an Insect in Canada Balsam without 

 Pressure. Treat with potash as above, wash in water and 



