2934 Insects. 



two singularly beautiful varieties. It seems strange that I should not have seen a 

 a single example of the second brood this year, while last, I scarcely found any of 

 the first. I took another species this season, but unfortunately only a single, and that 

 a damaged specimen of it, having five spots on the costa : I should feel particularly 

 obliged if any gentleman would tell me its name 



Neplicula pulverella of Bentley ? Expansion of wings about 2£ lines. Upper 

 wings resembling Trifurcula immundella: lower wings ashy, with darker cilia. Ob- 

 tained by sweeping grassy acclivities, Durdham Down, June 1, three. 



Trifurcula pulverosella of Stainton ? Allied to T. immundella, but larger, the 

 upper wings extending to nearly 4 lines, and being of a sooty hue except at the apex, 

 where the colour is luteous. Lower wings and cilia similar in colour. July 1 1 , Leigh 

 woods, Somersetshire, one. 



Bryophila glandifera. July 8 to 12, ninety. Should any subscriber to the ' Zoo- 

 logist ' be in want of this species, I shall feel great pleasure in sending him some fine 

 specimens. — John Sircom ; Brislington, September 9, 1850. 



On killing Lepidoptera. — Having seen in the ' Zoologist' (Zool. 2882, 2898) some 

 new methods of killing Lepidoptera, I send you one that I have adopted for some 

 years past. I first make a saturated solution of the cyanide of potassium, or about 

 one drachm of the cyanide to one of water, in a stoppered bottle, I then take some 

 filtering paper and dip it into a saturated solution of tartaric acid and dry it. When 

 I have a moth under a glass, or in a box, I cut a small piece of paper about one 

 inch square, if for a large moth, or less if for a small one, and immerse it half way in 

 the solution of cyanide of potassium, then quickly pass the paper under the glass, 

 when the moth will die almost instantly ; though they will sometimes revive, if the 

 glass be removed too soon. If not quite dead, dip a needle in the solution and pass 

 it through the thorax at the insertiou of the wings. The chemist will see that this is 

 only another method of employing hydrocyanic or prussic acid, the tartaric acid de- 

 composing the cyanide of potassium, by its superior affinity for its base, forming tar- 

 trate of potash and hydrocyanic acid ; a portion of the water being separated into its 

 elements at the same time, yielding oxygen to the potassium, forming potash ; and 

 hydrogen to the cyanogen, producing hydrocyanic acid, which is given off in vapour, 

 there not being sufficient water in the paper to retain it in solution. The great advan- 

 tage of the solution over the plain acid, which I am aware has been used before, is, 

 that the hydrocyanic acid, sufficiently strong to kill insects quickly, will not keep 

 three days, while the solution and paper will remain good six months at the least. 

 Great care must be taken not to inhale the vapour when the glass is removed, as it is 

 highly poisonous ; the bottle should be labelled poison, for fear of accidents ; the con- 

 venience of my process to a person travelling is very obvious, as the prepared paper 

 may be bound into a small book, and a piece cut off when required ; the bottle con- 

 taining the solution may, when in a small wooden box, be carried in the pocket with 

 perfect safety. The principal objection to the above method is, that it sometimes 

 leaves the insect rigid, but I generally allow them to remain ten or twelve hours over 

 water before I set them, when the muscles have time to relax ; but if it is wished to 

 set them immediately, take hold of the nervures of the under side of the wings with a 

 small hooked needle, and draw them in the direction for setting, when the muscles 

 will break or give way, frequently with an audible noise : the insect may then be set 

 as usual. The collector should carry with him a few pill-boxes, and when he has cap- 

 tured an insect, put a small piece of the moistened paper in the box with it, and in 



