’ BUTTERFLIES, SPHINGES, AND MOTHS. 195 
such as young mice, or the naked young of birds. 
If any of these have the misfortune to lose their 
heads or limbs from force, speedy death is the cer- 
tain consequence ; but insects under similar cir- 
cumstances, it is well known, are capable of sur- 
viving a considerable time.” 
Butterflies are soon killed by passing a pin 
through the thorax ; but probably the safest way 
is to adopt Mr Haworth’s plan, of making their in- 
stant death certain. The pin passed through the 
thorax of small moths, generally proves almost in- 
stantly fatal to them. 
But though nipping the breast will kill many 
small lepidoptera, the larger ones will live long after 
it. “ To despatch these effectually,” say Kirby 
and Spence, “ you will find the following apparatus 
very convenient :— Fix in a small tin saucepan, 
filled with boiling water, a tin tube consisting of 
two pieces that fit into each other ; cover the mouth 
of the lower one with a piece of gauze or canvass, 
and place your insects upon it ; then fix the upper 
one over it, and cover also the mouth of this with 
gauze, &c., and the steam from the boiling water 
will effectually kill your insects without injuring 
their plumage. There is another more simple mode 
of doing this ; the apparatus for which may be met 
with every where. Fix a piece or two of elder or 
willow, or any soft wood, with the bark on, across 
the bottom of a mug, and on this stick your im- 
