1903.] H. W. Peal — Monograph of the Oriental Alcurodidse. 63 



my method of collecting may be of use. I carry a large number, a dozen 

 suffices, of fairly long and narrow envelopes. These envelopes are all 

 that is required for the collection of larvae and pupae. 



One soon gets quite expert in noticing the signs which betray 

 the presence of these insects. A spotted yellow leaf, a black deposit of 

 fungus on the upper surface of the leaf, a procession of ants, these and 

 many other little signs are soon picked up. Always search the older 

 and more mature leaves rather than the young foliage, nor should one 

 overlook the dead and withered leaves which lie on the ground. The 

 insects are almost invariably attached to the under-surface of the leaves. 



For collecting the adults use small phials. The insects themselves 

 must be picked up with a fine camel hair brush the tip of which has 

 been previously moistened. 



After collecting as many larvae and pupae as are required, make what 

 notes you wish on the envelope itself. The following at least should be 

 entered. Name of tree, colour of insect, character of fluff if any, the 

 comparative abundance of the iusect, locality and date. If the tree 

 cannot be recognised carry away some of the leaves and if possible 

 flowers for identification by a botanist. 



As soon as possible after reaching home the insects should be exam- 

 ined and sorted, and if possible mounted. When the insects are 

 dry it is impossible to examine the first larval stage satisfactorily as the 

 legs and antennas shrivel up. 



For examination one will find that powers of £, £, and £ are 

 usually sufficient. A camera -lucida for making the drawings is almost 

 indispensable. After cleaning a microscope slide, drop some dilute 

 Canada balsam on it ; examine the leaves with a hand lens, and with a 

 fine pin moistened if necessary •with turpentine, pick up a few 

 eggs and transfer them to the slide. Next search for larvae of 

 the . first stage. This is somewhat difficult as they are usually 

 only about '2 mm. in length. Do not be content with one or two speci- 

 mens, mount several. Pick up the other larval stages present and 

 also some of the pupae. If the insects are very dark one will have to 

 boil them in caustic potash before mounting. The following is the 

 method. Half fill a fairly long test-tube or watch glass with an almost 

 saturated solution of caustic potash, drop in one insect and boil over 

 a spirit lamp or gas jet. When sufficiently transparent remove the 

 specimen with a piece of wire or a hair spring into a small dish of 

 water. After soaking out the caustic potash mount the specimen in 

 a drop of glycerine. I however find that with black species, if one 

 mounts specimens in dilute Canada balsam, and the slide is put away 

 for some time, the insects as a rule become transparent enough to be 



