230 JAS. J. SIMPSON—ENTOMOLOGICAL 
significance, &c., should be kept in a note-book, under a number corresponding 
with a number on the specimen. In the case of pinned insects, where the brief data 
are precisely similar for a long series of specimens, a small square of paper of a 
particular colour may be attached to each insect, and labels giving the data need 
only be attached to one or two of them. Whenever insects are taken paired, this 
should be carefully noted, and they should be labelled respectively, “ A-7n cop. 
with A’,” and “ Al-in cop. with A.” 
PRESERVATION.—Mould may be effectually prevented by rubbing the inside 
of the box in which insects are pinned with a bit of sponge soaked in ordinary 
medical (beechwood) creosote, until the cork lining shows through the paper. As 
an additional precaution, a small quantity of naphthalin should be melted in a test- 
tube, or iron spoon, and poured into a corner of the box, to which it will firmly 
adhere. The latter method may also be adopted in the case of boxes containing 
insects packed in papers or in sawdust, a few drops of creosote being first 
sprinkled on the bottom of the box, and a few more drops on the lid when it has 
been filled. Ants are often a serious pest to the entomologist in the tropics. 
They will not enter boxes which have been prepared as above, but it is advisible 
to isolate the tables on which insects are kept by placing the legs in saucers or 
shallow tins, which are then thickly sprinkled with Keating’s Powder or 
filled with kerosene. In no circumstances should water be used as this almost 
invariably serves as a place for mosquitos to deposit their eggs. Creosote must 
never be allowed to touch the specimens directly, and in all cases it must be 
used very sparingly, otherwise it is liable to discolour the insects permanently. 
Bronomics.—Any information with regard to the natural habits of noxious 
insects is certain to be of value, however trivial it may appear to the observer. 
For example, any of the following points may be usefully noted ; peculiarities of 
local distribution, seasons of appearance and disappearance, relative abundance in 
different years, times of feeding, nature of food, methods and times of egg-laying, 
food and habits of larvae, &c., &c. Further, good series of any injurious insect 
should be sent from every locality visited, even though they may be only a few 
miles apart ; for only thus can a proper survey of its entire range be made. A 
knowledge of the egg, larva, and pupa is often of considerable importance, and 
whenever insects are being reared specimens of each stage should be preserved in 
spirit. 
In the case of insects preserved in spirit it is desirable to keep them for a day 
or two in a weak solution of 35 or 40 per cent. before transferring them to the 
final solution of 65 or 70 per cent. 
Where alcohol of known strength cannot be obtained, any spirituous liquid may 
be used provided it possesses the requisite strength. Any spirit which takes fire 
immediately on the application of a light, without having been previously 
warmed, is strong enough to be used for the preservation of animals. 
Insects intended for anatomical examination must be fixed by heat, as their 
chitinous envelope is penetrated so slowly by alcohol that, if this be not done, 
they decompose before the preservative can reach them, — It is sufficient to bring 
them to boiling temperature in a test tube of water; but for delicate histological 
