THE NEW ZEALAND 
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. 
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No. 2., Vol. l—APRIL, 1882. 
ee 
HINTS ON THE PRESERVATION OF 
COLEOPTERA* 
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BY CAPTAIN THOMAS BROUN, M.E,S., ETC. 
eres pe ns 
PART IT, 
In a former article an attempt was made to show how beetles 
might be captured; in the present one I propose dealing with the 
somewhat difficult matter of permanent preservation. 
The insects having been caught must, first of all (in the case 
of such as are to be pinned) be thoroughly dried. In order that 
this may be effectually done it will be necessary to procure or 
make what is termed a setting-house. Its outside measurements 
are—height, 12 inches; breadth, 8 inches; depth, 5 inches. The 
sides should have five equidistant grooves in each, into which the 
setting-boards slide. These ought to be made of old cigar-boxes, 
should have two or three sheets of cork tacked or glued on each, 
and then be covered with thin white paper. The two or three 
boards nearest the bottom may be entire, but the others should 
form two or three separate slides. The door and back are best 
made of finely-perforated zinc with wooden frames, so as to per- 
mit the free circulation of air. Into this receptacle all beetles 
should be placed as soon as they are pinned or mounted on card- 
board ; they ought to be kept there for a fortnight, and if the 
setting-house be placed in a verandah during dry breezy weather, 
the result will be more satisfactory. When quite dry the insects 
should be removed to the cabinet, or what are called store-boxes 
may be substituted. A well made insect-cabinet is a costly affair, 
~ * Continued from page 12. 
