SOME HINTS ON THE PREPARATION AND 



secting knife; two needles in handles; a few small red sable 

 brushes; one large camel's hair brush; a glass pomatum jar; nest of 

 porcelain dishes, and a few watch glasses; a wide-mouth 8 oz. vial, 

 with glass stopper; small glass rod; some pieces of very fine brass- 

 wire; glass slips and covers, with suitable labels; and a small bell- 

 glass. 



To these may be added the following non-essential, but very con- 

 venient articles: A capped bottle, with glass rod, for containing 

 the balsam j(see figure 7); a small brass table with spirit lamp; 

 a turn table; porcelain mounting plate (hereafter to be described); 



Fig. 2. Curved Forceps. 



magnifying glass on stand, with elongating arm; white zinc cement, 

 shellac cement, and colored fluid for ornamental ringing; a bottle of 

 absolute alcohol; and a writing diamond. The luxuries may be 

 mentioned under the head of a well made self-centering turn table; 

 a hot water drying oven; find spring scissors; an assortment of dis- 

 secting needles, hooks, scissors and knives; and a pair of binocular 

 magnifiers, mounted upon a firm stand, with focusing adjustment. 

 But all the processes of mounting to be here named may be per- 

 formed with the tools and materials mentioned under the head of 

 essentials. 



Fig. j. Small Dissecting Knife. 



Having thus started in business with our capital of tools and 

 materials, let us proceed to put them to the test of actual use. And 

 I can provide no better subject for a beginning than a common blow 

 fly, or an ordinary house fly, either of which will afford material for 

 several different processes of balsam 'mounting. A female should 

 be selected, as the ovipositor, which usually contains some eggs, 

 affords a most interesting and beautiful object. 



Vivisection not being favored by the writer first kill your fly 

 in the most humane manner possible (chloroform is recommended); 

 then proceed to clip the wings off close to the body, which, not 

 needing any preparation, may at once be placed in alcohol, in 



