INSECTS 5 



pieces should be 3j inches in length. One of the ends should be 

 planed down to a width of If inches (the distance between the 

 grooves). Nail the four pieces together and insert in the grooves 

 on each side a cleaned 4X5 picture negative, the gelatin of which 

 may be easily removed with hot water. Glue to the center of 

 one of the glasses a piece of cork to hold the insect pin, and fasten 

 a piece of wood to the narrow end by a wire nail, which will 

 prevent the glasses from slipping out but will still allow the box to 

 be opened. The boxes are made more attractive if they are treated 

 with dark oak jap-a-lac or stain (Fig. 5). 



Fig. 5. — Insect box. 



5. Experiments with living butterflies. — Before trying the feed- 

 ing experiments, the butterflies should be kept for at least twenty- 

 four hours without food. After a butterfly has fed, it should be 

 placed by itself, since the same insect may be unwilling to eat a 

 second time. Have as many students at a time see the feeding as 

 can well do so ; this will save time, and fewer butterflies will be 

 needed. The mourning cloak, monarch, and violet tip butterflies 

 are satisfactory for this experiment. Place the butterfly on a stick 

 or other rough object, and put the tiny drop of honey near it. This 

 may be done in a cage, or under a glass jar, or in the open laboratory. 



