PRESERVATION OF INSECTS. 275 



wings. A slight pinch kills a butterfly, but it is 

 far otherwise with a thick-bodied moth; these 

 seem to possess an excess of vitality. 



881. There are several modes by which moths 

 may be killed, but some of these are not at all 

 times convenient ; however, it will be best to give 

 them all, and then the reader may avail himself of 

 one or other of them according to circumstances. 



882. First, Take the moth by the wings, held 

 together over its back, and then dip its body 

 suddenly in boiling water ; immediately on with- 

 drawing it, it will be found that life and motion 

 are completely extinct ; but the downiness of the 

 body will have received an injury which it never 

 effectually recovers. 



883. Secondly, Fix a piece of thin cork firmly 

 at the bottom of a gallipot ; then, having pinned 

 the moth, as before described, through the meso- 

 thorax, stick the pin in the cork, and invert the 

 gallipot in a basin of boiling water : the steam 

 produces death almost instantly, and does not 

 injure the plumage of the moth. 



884. Thirdly, Having pinned the moth, take its 

 body between the finger and thumb of the lefl 

 hand, then withdraw the pin, and having previously 

 prepared a sharp-pointed piece of quill or wood, 

 dip it in Prussic acid, or a strong solution of oxalic 

 acid, and introduce it into the aperture made by 

 the pin : death follows almost instantly. 



885. If two or three laurel leaves are completely 



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