Insects, - 7023 



tlioir bites by a little skill in the handling ; and the whiskey soon 

 prevails over their propensity to fight with and damage their fellow- 

 captives. If put into the bottle alive, and without spirits, they are 

 quite sure to injure each other. 



These water Hemiptera may be kept in the spirits almost as long 

 as you like, and when perfectly convenient you may take them out at 

 any time, and after soaking them thoroughly in hot water, dry them 

 on blotting-paper, and either pin them or card them just as you 

 please. The cards to use for this purpose are called " printers' large 

 extra ; " the best cost about 8cZ. a pack, and one pack will probably 

 last through the season. Different opinions prevail as to the size and 

 shape of the cards; some entomologists prefer the cards all of one 

 size, others all of one shape. I think questions of this kind 

 are scarcely worth considering, but as Nature has introduced a great 

 variety in the shape and size of her beautiful creations, so there can 

 be nothing very improper in allotting to each individual an allowance 

 of card somewhat in proportion to his bulk. Gum is an article that 

 requires more care, and the best is made by mixing equal quantities 

 of the most pure and colourless gum trajacanth and gum arabic, 

 adding a small portion of corrosive sublimate. 



But there is no objection to take home the captured Hemiptera in 

 a perfectly wakeful state. If you intend doing this, provide yourself 

 with a wide-mouthed vial and put in it a few strips of blotting-paper : 

 drop the insects when caught into the vial, corking it after each is 

 imprisoned. When arrived at home fill a small white basin with 

 boiling w ater, uncork the vial over it and let the prisoners fall in ; if 

 any remain in the vial, give the bottle a sharp tap and they will fall 

 into the water: death follows instantaneously and without a struggle. 

 Dip them out with a tea-spoon and lay them on blotting-paper. 

 While the paper is absorbing the water, prepare the cards, gum-water, 

 &c., for setting them out; you wHU find the limbs pliable and ready 

 to take any position in which you wish to place them. Mr. Douglas 

 tells me he prefers this hot-water mode of killing Hemiptera, 

 but 1 have sometimes thought that hot water destroys the brighter 

 colours. 



Edward Newman. 



