BUTTERFLIES, SPHINGES, AND MOTHS. 1Q5 



such as young mice, or the naked young of birds. 

 If any of these have the misfortune to lose their 

 leads or limbs from force, speedy death is the cer- 

 tain consequence ; but insects under similar cir- 

 cumstances, it is well known, are capable of sur- 

 viving a considerable time." 

 -- Butterflies are soon killed by passing a pin 

 -hrough the thorax ; but probably the safest way 

 s to adopt Mr Haworth's plan, of making their in- 

 itant death certain. The pin passed through the 

 horax of small moths, generally proves almost in- 

 itantly fatal to them. 



But though nipping the breast will kill many 

 mall lepidoptera, the larger ones will live long after 

 t. " To despatch these effectually," say Kirby 

 and Spence, " you will find the following apparatus 

 ery convenient: Fix in a small tin saucepan, 

 illed with boiling water, a tin tube consisting of 

 wo pieces that fit into each other ; cover the mouth 

 )f t]je lower one with a piece of gauze or canvass, 

 and place your insects upon it ; then fix the upper 

 one over it, and cover also the mouth of this with 

 jauze, &c., and the steam from the boiling water 

 will effectually kill your insects without injuring 

 heir plumage. There is another more simple mode 

 >f doing this ; the apparatus for which may be met 

 tvith every where. Fix a piece or two of elder or 

 willow, or any soft wood, with the bark on, across 

 he bottom of a mug, and on this stick your im- 



