80 INSECTS. 



have the pin passed through the right elytra, on the right 

 side, as shown at plate IV., fig. 4, a: that is, it should pass 

 underneath, between the first pair of feet and the interme- 

 diate ones. 



The legs, palpi, and antennae, should be displayed in a nat 

 ural order on the setting-board, and retained in the position 

 by means of pins and braces, as shown in plate IV., figs. Sand 

 4. These must be kept in that state, either longer or shorter, 

 according to the insect and state of the weather, as if placed 

 in a cabinet before they are quite dry, they are sure to get 

 mouldy, and will ultimately rot. 



Minute insects should be attached to cards with gum, as 

 shown, plate IV., figs. 5 and 6, with the legs and other or- 

 gans displayed. Entomologists generally adopt triangular 

 cords, as at fig. 5, as less liable to hide the parts of the in- 

 sects. 



ORDER LEPIDOPTERA. Mr Haworth, in his " Lepidoptera 

 Britannica" in mentioning the tenacity of life in the Bombyx 

 Cossus, or Goat Moth, states, that " the usual way of compress- 

 ing the thorax is not sufficient to kill this insect. They will 

 live several days after the most severe pressure has been given 

 there, to the great uneasiness of any humane Entomologist. 

 The methods of suffocation by tobacco or sulphur, are equally 

 inefficacious, unless continued for a greater number of hours 

 than is proper for the preservation of the specimens. Another 

 method now in practice is better, and however fraught with 

 cruelty it may appear to the inexperienced collector, is the 

 greatest piece of comparative mercy that can, in this case, be 

 administered. When the larger Moths must be killed, destroy 

 them at once by the insertion of a strong, red-hot needle into 

 their thickest parts, beginning at the front of the thorax. If 

 this be properly done, instead of lingering through several days, 

 they are dead in a moment. It appears to me, however, that in- 

 sects being animals of cold and sluggish juices, are not so sus- 

 ceptible of the sensations we call pain, as those which enjoy a 

 warmer temperature of body, and a swifter circulation of the 

 fluids. To the philosophic mind, it is self-evident that they have 

 not such acute organs of feeling pain, as other animals of a 

 similar size, whose juices are endowed with a quicker motion, 

 and possess a constant, regular, and genial warmth, such as 



