14 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



larvae. They may be found devouring the entire substance of leaves, 

 eating only the softer under portions or even mining between the upper 

 and lower epidermis. They closely simulate the appearance of a twig, 

 bore within it or the trunk, inhabit all manner of vegetable matter, food 

 stuffs, etc., are found in ih6 alkali lakes of the west and one species is 

 known to live in crude petroleum in the vicinity of oil wells, showing to 

 what a wonderful extent the various forms of life can adapt themselves 

 to conditions. 



PRESERVING INSECTS 



Most insects can be preserved by pinning and drying, but to attain 

 the best results it will be necessary to have a few suppUes and to follow 

 certain tested rules. 



Insect pins. Entomologists prefer insect pins made specially for this 

 purpose. Those most extensively used in this country are from 3.5 to 



about 4 cm (if to if in.) 

 lonp', are more slender than 

 ordinary pins and are made 

 in several sizes, the more con- 

 venient being nos. i, 3 and 5 

 of the Klager pins, no. 3 being 

 the best if but one size is used. 

 A convenient means of keeping several sizes and kinds of pins is a light 

 block of wood about three fourths as deep as the pins are long with a 

 2-centimeter (nearly ^ in.) hole for each size of pin. Klager pins or those 

 of other makes may be obtained from dealers in entomologic supplies. A 

 black japanned pin is preferable to the unprotected or white pin as there 

 is less liability of verdigris spoiling the insect. The trouble with the 

 black pin is found in its lack of stiffness, specially in the smaller size?. 



Pinning block. For the best appearance of the collection the 

 insects should be fixed on the pins at a 

 uniform hight. The beginner can accom- 

 plish thLs most easily by using a pinning 

 block, a small piece of wood with a thickness 

 equal to one fourth the length of the pin 

 and with a hole through it large enough 

 to admit the pin head. When mounting, 

 thrust the pin nearly through the insect and then push it back to its 

 proper place by reversing the specimen and sticking the head of the 

 pin through the hole in the pinning block. If desired, labels and 



Fig. 14 Block for bolding pins (orlKltial). 



Fig. 15 Pinning block (original). 



