Ch Canadian Entomologist. 
VOL. IV: LONDON, ONT., MARCH, 1872. No. 3 
MICRO-LEPIDOPTERA. 
BY V. T. CHAMBERS, COVINGTON, KY. 
Continued from page 29. 
Ir may be necessary to state that the names which I have used for the 
different nervures of the wings in these papers are those used by Dr. 
Clemens, and differ somewhat from those in use by European entomolo- 
gists. 
Various means may be used for the purpose of denuding the wings of © 
their scales, so as to render the neuration distinct. The wing may be 
pressed slightly between two pieces of moistened bibulous paper, and the 
process repeated until the wing is sufficiently denuded; or, if this does 
not denude it sufficiently, the few remaining scales may be removed with 
a camel’s or sable hair brush. M. Guenee moistens the paper with gum 
water. Soft wax may be used instead of the paper. Dr. Clemens’ plan 
was to moisten a slip of glass, and then, placing the wing upon it, remove 
* the scales with a moistened sable hair brush from one side, and then, 
turning it over, remove them in the same way from the other side. 
But, with the greatest care and skill, there is danger of injuring the 
wings of the small moths, particularly of breaking off their tips, and 
especially if the wing is dry. And all of these plans require a great deal 
of time. 
I have found the following plan preferable, as requiring less time and 
skill and being equally effective. Lay the wing upon a glass slip (e. g. a 
microscopic slide) covering it with a piece of thin covering glass (e. g. a 
thin glass cover for microscopic objects). Drop on the glass slip, so that 
it will flow under the slide, one or two drops of solution of potash or soda, 
and hold it over a lamp-flame until it begins to boil, removing it at the 
first ebullition. If boiled too long, the more delicate nervules may be 
obliterated, and if there is too much liquid, the wing may, by the boiling, 
become folded, so that it will be spoiled. The finer nervules may also be 
obliterated by allowing the wing to remain too long in the liquid. But if 
proper care has been taken in these respects, the glass slip may be 
removed from the lamp to the stage of the microscope, and the neuration 
