the pin. Sometimes the body adheres so firmly to its pin that it will crush or be 

 disfigured, however carefully you press down. With such specimens there is 

 nothing to do but relax them slightly, remove the pin and insert a smaller one, 

 again spreading the insect if necessary. A very large part of your specimens, 

 however, can be removed from the pin by means of the forceps without relaxing. 



SEALED JARS FOR PAPERED SPECIMENS. 



Sarah Brown, daughter of John Brown, of Ossawatomie, lives at San Jose, 

 California, and finds it almost impossible to preserve her papered specimens from 

 dermestes, and invented a method which is perfect. She places the papers in 

 "Mason" fruit jars, screwing the tin tops firmly down upon the rubber gasket. 

 The covers should remain loose until the moisture in the bodies of the insects has 

 evaporated. A few drops of carbolic acid will prevent mold and a few naptha- 

 lene flakes or a moth ball as an additional precaution may be placed in the bottle. 

 Neat labels containing the names of the specimens and any desired data are pasted 

 on the outside of the bottle. 



CLEANING BEETLES. 



Robert J. Sims of Jefferson, Ohio, writes: "If beetles are dirty they may 

 be dropped into a cup of water containing a little peroxide. They will sizzle for 

 a few minutes and then be quite clean. 



STORING COLEOPTERA. 



Mr. Sims says: "Quantities of Coleoptera, caught all in our locality and 

 within a week or so, may be stored in large bottles of denatured alcohol, with 

 proper label and date on each bottle. Specimens kept so, indefinitely, are all ready 

 to mount without relaxing. Delicately marked specimens like Cicindelae are apt 

 io discolor and are better stored dry." 



SUGGESTIONS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 



I am now writing to 2,500 people who are interested in butterfly farming. 

 I give each a number in the order in which the correspondence begins. If you 

 will place the same number at the head of your letter which I place at the head 

 of those written to you it will assist me, as my system of filing letters is partly based 

 on these numbers as well as upon the alphabet. 



When you wish insects named send perfect specimens in papers or pinned. 

 If the wings are properly spread you can receive names by return mail, unless 

 the determination is difficult. Sometimes it is necessary to send a series, as there 

 may be slight differences in coloration. 



Never send a specimen in a letter. Do not send pinned or spread specimens 

 in a single box without an outer covering of excelsior. It is better to use an inner 

 and an outer box with at least an inch and a half of space between filled with 

 excelsior. The bodies of large moths should be secured by a wisp of cotton about 

 half an inch wide placed over the body and pinned down at each end of the 

 cotton. Pins should be placed on each side of the abdomen of the large Sphinx 

 moths to prevent the bodies from sliding around on the pins. Always put your 

 name and address on the inner box and if possible attach it to each specimen. 



In exchanging specimens send perfect insects. The butterfly farmer has no 

 excuse for having imperfect specimens in his possession. As soon as I can afford 

 to do so I will exchange with any correspondent. While paying my way through 

 college I must sell my specimens. 



I am far too busy to carry on a general correspondence with any one. It 

 takes all my time to instruct my pupils in butterfly farming. I am duly thankful 



196 



