PRESERVATION OF INSECTS. 295 



those parts of the body which are the most remote 

 from the centre: the extremities in quadrupeds, 

 or in birds, afford us the best characters on this 

 ground. Take a lobster, a prawn, a shrimp, and 

 a crayfish ; spread them on a setting board, you 

 will find the extreme points, the tail, toes, and 

 antennae, display the differences : so, in insects, 

 take the extremities. 



960. The extremities of an insect are the wings, 

 the tarsi, the head; and these afford abundant 

 characters. First, take the most obvious parts, 

 the parts most easily observed ; then consult the 

 more concealed parts, as the mouth ; but even in 

 the mouth try the palpi before the jaw or the lip 

 from which they rise. 



961. In investigating insects, a good glass is a 

 matter of great importance ; and here I cannot re- 

 sist the pleasure it will give me most heartily to 

 recommend Messrs. Bentley and Chant, of King's 

 Head-court, St. Martin's-le-Grand. Being them- 

 selves good entomologists, they know exactly 

 what entomologists require, and take every pains 

 to supply it. 



962. The knowledge of the principal order of 

 insects is very soon acquired ; many we have known 

 from our childhood upwards, as butterflies, Papi- 

 lionites, or crickets, Achetites. It is the safest plan 

 to begin with large well-known groups first ; the 

 knowledge of a few of these leads us to desire an 

 acquaintance with the rest. 



