[97] 



COLLECTING AND PRESERVING INSECTS RILEY. 



Labeling alcoholic Specimens. — Alcoholic specimens, iucluding alco- 

 holic biologic material and collections of Arachnida and Myriopoda, 

 are well adapted to the labeling system, as the vials are always of 

 sufficient size to allow the insertion of one or more labels large enough 

 to contain a pretty full reco3?d of the specimen. The label may consist 

 of a number referring to notes, or of a number together with the other 

 data indicated for the systematic collection. The label in my expe- 

 rience is preferably written in pencil, which, in alcohol, is practically 

 permanent. Waterproof inks are sometimes used, and of these the 

 oak-gall ink is undoubtedly the best. Dr. George Marx, in labeling 

 his Arachnida, uses onion-skin paper and waterproof ink, such as Hig- 



Fiu. 116.— Cabinet for apparatus used in mounting and labeling. (Original). 



gins's drawing ink. There is some danger, in placing a label in a vial, 

 of its settling against the specimen and injuring it. This, however, can 

 generally be avoided if a little care is used. The label may be long and 

 narrow and folded lengthwise so as to occupy one side only of the vial, 

 or short and inserted in such manner that it will pass around the inside 

 2564 7 



