PRESERVATION OF INSECTS. 285 



leave the glass off, and keep a good supply of cam- 

 phor always in the drawer. 



919. Either of these depredators makes itself 

 instantly known, by an appearance of dust below 

 the specimens attacked. The best way on discover- 

 ing this, is to take out the insect, and if a beetle, 

 to dip it instantly in boiling water ; then, after 

 thoroughly drying it, return it to its place. If any 

 other insect, baking in a moderately hot oven will 

 be found an effectual cure. 



920. Mouldiness is completely remedied in 

 beetles by immersion in boiling water, and after 

 brushing them with a camel's hair pencil, drying 

 them thoroughly, and returning them to their 

 places ; in other insects, spirits of wine carefully 

 applied with a camel's hair pencil effects a cure. 



921. Greasiness is a constant cause of trouble 

 with insects, particularly moths. Commencing in 

 the body, it gradually spreads until the whole 

 moth looks as though it had been dipped in oil ; 

 from the insects the oil runs down on the drawer 

 below it, soiling the paper, and spoiling the ap- 

 pearance of the collection. No preventive to this 

 is known, but a greasy moth may be restored 

 thus: 



922. Take out the moth, and place it on a 

 setting board, then drop spirits of turpentine on it 

 till it is completely saturated; afterwards scrape 

 on it some very white pipe-clay, taking care to 

 cover every part ; in a few days the turpentine 



