JOURNAL 



ASIATIC SOCIETY 



A few Instructions for Insect Collectors* By V. Tregear, Esq. 



Entomological collections are now-a-days rather numerous in India, 

 and would be more so, if the mode of preserving insects were generally- 

 known. There are many better qualified than myself to give in- 

 structions on the subject, but as the few directions I am able to give 

 may be useful, I do not hesitate to offer them for the Journal. Inde- 

 pendent of its scientific value, a well-preserved collection of insects 

 is an object of attraction and interest to the most apathetic ; the 

 elegance and brilliancy of colouring, in some equalling the rainbow 

 hues of the most beautiful birds ; and the " shapeless" shape of others, 

 in which they exceed, perhaps, the most fantastic formed monsters 

 of the deep, with the wonderful variety of both colour and form, 

 create those agreeable sensations of surprise and admiration, which 

 constitute a large portion of the feeling called pleasure. Such a collec- 

 tion is not to be formed without trouble and attention, and if the 

 necessary share of the former be bestowed on the first preparation and 

 setting up, but little will be subsequently required. The great annoy- 

 ances are damp and insects; the former is avoided by making the 

 cases of dry wood, well varnished, or painting them in dry weather, 



* There is a paper " On the preservation of objects of Natural History," in the 4th 

 vol. of the Journal of the Asiatic Society, by Dr. Pearson, an excellent authority on 

 all such subjects. 



No. 126. New Series, No. 42. 3 n 



