138 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
incontrovertible that I feel it will bear repetition. I will 
address myself therefore, in tlre first place, to prevention. In 
my early collecting days, when cyanide was unknown, I used 
to half-fill my collecting-box with bruised laurel twigs,— 
twigs I always preferred to leaves, as being more juicy, fuller 
of sap. I used atin box to prevent evaporation. I spread 
a piece of muslin over the laurel twigs to keep them from 
moving; then, to keep both laurel and muslin in their places, 
I introduced transverse strips of thin cork and fitted them 
tightly,—so tightly, indeed, that they were unable to move. 
On these strips of cork I pinned my captures. The lid of the 
box may also be fitted with these strips of cork, but there is 
no occasion for a‘second supply of laurel. A strip of India- 
rubber on the inside of the lid, glued firmly down, assists in 
preventing evaporation. On reaching home I have always 
found that the process of desiccation had been arrested, and 
that both butterflies and moths were in a suitable state for 
what is called setting. So much for prevention; now for 
the cure. When the moth is stiff,—incorrigibly stiff,—pin it 
on a piece of cork, and float the cork on the surface of water 
in a milk-pan, soup-plate, foot-bath, or basin of any kind; a 
wet napkin should be spread over the top to prevent evapo- 
ration. I would recommend the manufacture of relaxing bath 
on this wise, to be always kept ready: first, the milk-pan, 
then a hoop, which should just cover the milk-pan, and over 
the hoop a cloth saturated with water may be strained tight, 
so that the hoop and cloth can be removed together at once. 
During the course of each day remove the hoop, examine 
the insects, and take out those which are sufficiently relaxed, 
replacing the others, for if left too Jong they will inevitably 
become mouldy, a calamity which it is “almost impossible to 
mitigate or remove. Jischew laurel leaves on all occasions, 
except for killing, because of their promoting mould and 
grease; but laurel twigs have not the same effect,—the sap 
is expressed more readily, and ever after they remain ina dryer 
condition. I am aware there are a number of novel expedients, 
as ammonia and camphor, both for killing and relaxing, and 
earnest recommendations for using them. I incline to say 
“dont.” I find Mr. Greene’s ‘ Insect-Hunter’s Companion’ 
the only good adviser in entomological matters; but there 
are some points on which I strongly differ from him, ‘The 
F 
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