Introduction 11 



8. Preserving Larvae. 



(a) Fixation for microscopical examination. 



Take specimens which have just moulted, or which are not 

 going to moult soon. Drop them in fixative. 



After a few hours large specimens (exceeding 2 inches in 

 length), are cut into two or three pieces with a sharp razor 

 at junction of segments. All are transferred to fresh fixa- 

 tive for twenty-four hours. 



Transfer to fresh 90 per cent, alcohol for three days. 



Put up in fresh 90 per cent, alcohol in tubes, label, seal tube. 



(b) Preservation as Specimens. 



Kill by drowning and put up in 5 per cent, formalin. Use no 

 alcohol, as it takes out colour. 



(c) Keep species and different stages separate. 



(d) Fix larvae whose adults are known, and also any others which 



present curious structures. 



(e) Put all specimens where adults are known in formalin, and 



duplicates if available of any others which have been fixed. 



9. Preserving Adults. 



(a) Drop into fixative and after a few hours remove abdomen, 



wings, thorax, and head, and place all in fresh fixative. 

 After twenty-four hours transfer all to 90 per cent, alcohol. 

 After twenty-four hours transfer to fresh 90 per cent, alcohol. 

 After three days put in fresh 90 per cent, alcohol in stoppered 



bottles. 



(b) Keep species separate ; but several specimens of a species can 



be put in same bottle. Keep some specimens entire. 



(c) Fix specially any which are observed to have emerged from 



pupa, both immediately after emergence and also when 

 wings are dry. These facts must be noted on a label. 



(d) Fix butterflies of all groups and any strange moths. 



(e) Gravid females of common specimens may be fixed. 



10. Rearing Larvjs. 



Prepare several cages and keep clear of ants. 



Larvae of one kind, or ova, are placed in one cage which is 



called, say, 1. 

 Note when any are going to moult, and as soon as they have 



done so, remove these to another cage which is called 1.1. 



As these moult, remove to another cage and call this 1.2; 



