12 MISC. PUBLICATION 336, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
the shellac formerly employed; it may be purchased at hardware 
stores in small tubes, or it may be prepared by dissolving celluloid 
in amyl acetate (known also as pear oil or banana oil). Because of 
the volatility of the amyl acetate the stock of cement must be thinned 
frequently. In using the minuten-pin mount, the small pin is stuck 
into a small square or rectangular piece of cork, through which is 
FIGURE 7.—Types of mounts used for adult mosquitoes. 
also passed a larger pin (fig. 7). The tip of the small pin is then 
thrust through the thorax of the mosquito, usually from between the 
coxae toward the back. The tip of the pin should not protrude 
through the mesonotum. Very small, dry specimens may be stuck 
on the side of the minuten-pin point with a drop of cement, instead 
of using the paper point. The No. 3 entomological pin is probably 
the best general size for use with both types of mounts. 
