1872.] 253 [Crotch. 
he described as American rather than Asiatic. Dr. Knee- 
land presented a number of specimens illustrating his re- 
marks. | 
The Secretary read a letter from Clarence Sterling, Esq., 
_ giving an account of a visit to the Brandon frozen well dur- 
ing July last. The water in the well was, as usual, found 
frozen over. | 
The thanks of the Society were voted to Mr. F. Rolfe for 
a fine specimen of African gazelle, and to Mr. Charles Rug- 
gles for a number of bird-nests, eggs, and other specimens. 
Section of Entomology. November 27, 1872. 
Mr. Edward Burgess in the chair. Eleven persons present. 
Dr. J. L. Leconte, of Philadelphia, who was present, intro- 
duced Mr. J. R. Crotch, of England, who, he said, proposed to 
spend some time on the western coast of America, collecting 
its little known insect fauna. 
Mr. Crotch then described his process of collecting Coleoptera, 
which had been suggested by Chevrolat. Instead of alcohol or other 
fluid, the use of which is so inconvenient to the travelling collector, 
sawdust, carefully sifted so as to be free from dust, is used. The 
specimens taken during the day are packed loosely with this saw- 
dust in pill-boxes, which are easily labelled and packed away until 
wanted for study. If the insects are large they should be dried by 
the fire, or in the sun, or the sawdust may be slightly moistened with 
alcohol or carbolic acid. Coleoptera, such as Lixus, covered with a 
bloom, of course must be pinned on the spot. 
Mr. Crotch also said that-collectors in England fasten the cyanide 
of potassium in their collecting bottles by pouring plaster of Paris 
over it, which prevents the cyanide from deliquescing, and soiling the 
specimen, and is sufficiently porous to allow the escape of the vapor. 
