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| &2 INSECTS. 
| 
a groove for the reception of the body, as deep as the insertion 
of the wings. They are otherwise preserved as above directed, 
In the larger Butterflies, Moths, and Sphinges, the abdo 
men should be perforated, its contents extracted, and then 
_ stuffed with fine cotton, after having been washed internally 
_ with the solution of corrosive sublimate. Indeed, the cotton 
should also be rubbed with the arsenical soap before being 
| introduced, as these insects are particularly liable to the attack 
of smaller insects, such as the Mite. 
Several of the Moth tribe are extremely liable to change 
their colour some time after they have been placed in a 
cabinet. This change is frequently occasioned by an oily 
matter which is common to many of them. ‘This first makes 
its appearance in small spots on the body, but soon spreads 
itself over the abdomen, thorax, and wings; and ends in a 
total obliteration of all the beautiful markings. A method 
which has been sometimes successfully adopted is to sprinkle 
| all the wings with powdered chalk, and holding a heated iron 
over it; the chalk absorbs the grease, and may then be blown 
off by means of a pair of small bellows. Another way of 
applying the chalk, and perhaps the better of the two, is to 
_ throw some powdered chalk on the face of a heated iron, and | 
then put it into a piece of linen cloth, and apply it to the body 
of the insect; the heat of the iron will soften the grease, and | 
the chalk will absorb it. 
Another method is to hold a heated iron over the insects for 
a few minutes, and then to wash the spotted or greasy 
| places with ox gall and water, applied with a camel-hair pen- 
cil, and afterwards wash it with pure water, and dry it by an 
_ application of bloating paper, and when perfectly dry imbue 
it with the solution of corrosive sublimate. But grease seldom 
_ appears where the contents of the abdomen have been re- 
moved. 
Orvers Neurorrera, HyMENopTERA, and Dirrera.—The 
| Dragon-Flies (Libellule) are frequently very difficult to kill, 
being powerful and nervous animals. When caught they 
should be transfixed through the sides, and it sometimes be- 
comes necessary to put braces on their wings to prevent them 
from fluttering while in the hunting box. The only certain 
method of killing them speedily is by the method recommend. 
