How to preserve them 



near its point with the forceps and thrust through the centre of the 

 disc until about half its length projects through it. The mosquito, 

 which is lying dead on the sheet of cork, should be turned on to its 

 back with the aid of a pin, and, holding the head of the pin carrying 

 the cardboard disc between the thumb and first finger of the right 

 hand, the point of the pin is thrust into the thorax of the mosquito 

 between the points of origin of the legs, and pressed onwards until it 

 emerges through the dorsal surface of the thorax. When the pin and 

 disc are lifted off the cork and inverted, the mosquito will be in its 

 natural position, right side upwards. The wings and legs may now 

 be carefully arranged with the aid of a fine pin, but this is often 

 unnecessary, and if all the parts can be seen moderately well, it is 

 best not to touch them, as even the most careful manipulation will 

 rub off some of the scales and hairs. An ordinary pin is thrust 

 through the card disc near its margin for the purpose of attaching 

 it to the cork in the floor of the entomological box. (See Fig. 4). 



In India, mosquitoes very quickly become 

 covered with mould, and in order to prevent 

 this, and to preserve them properly, they 

 are best kept in the small glass tubes shown 

 in fig. 5. 



A flat cork (D) fitting very tightly is first 

 pressed into the tube to its end. On this 

 cork a small muslin bag (C) containing 

 naphthalene is placed. This is kept in posi- 

 tion by means of a cardboard disc perforated 

 with holes (B) which is fastened firmly by 

 pins to the cork in the bottom of the tube. 

 The disc carrying the mosquito (A) is pinned 

 to the cork which closes the mouth of the 

 By this method mosquitoes may be 



tube. 



preserved in good condition for a long time, 



and if the tubes are well packed in a tin box Fi s- 5< 



with cotton-wool, they may be sent through 



the post with safety. 



In addition to mounting male and female specimens of each 

 species in the manner just described, it is necessary to have certain 

 parts of each species mounted separately on glass slides. These 



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