14 



JOURNAL R. A. S. (CEYLON). [VOL. II., PaRT 1. 



dependiug on a moist or dry season. They are then fit to remove 

 into the store-boxes, which like the setting-box must be made 

 quite air-tight, and constantly supplied with camphor; without 

 this precaution the labour of months will quickly become the 

 prey of mites, Tince, and a host of other enemies. " Kirilla- 

 rnula" is, as the Sinhalese word expresses it, the root of the 

 Kirilla tree (Someratta Acida 9 L.) and is found about the 

 banks of fresh water rivers and tanks. Kalutara produces the 

 finest. It is very light, and easily receives the pin. It should 

 be sawn into slabs, about a-quarter or three-eighths of an inch 

 thick, well smoothed with sand paper and glued into the boxes, 

 then neatly pasted over with the thinnest and softest white 

 paper. The generic name of each family shonld be placed at 

 the commencement of the group, the specific name under each 

 insect. A number should also be appended, as a reference, and 

 a catalogue made of the name, place of capture, description 

 or drawing of caterpillar, and food, if known, in separate columns. 

 Where space is no object, several of each species should be kept, 

 say, for instance, two males and two females and an underside of 

 each; as in many cases the male and female are so dissimilar as 

 to be mistaken for separate species. Insects being very local, 

 duplicates should always be kept, to exchange with other 

 collectors in various parts of the country. 



Note. —Dried specimens received from correspondents may 

 always be re-set to the collector's fancy by previously relaxing 

 them, which is effected by placing them in a covered vessel half 

 full of damp sand covered with a sheet of blotting paper. Some 

 recommend hot water instead of sand. The smaller insects will 

 be fit for stretching in a few hours : the larger often require from 

 two to three days. 



When the specimens are perfectly dry, they should be touched 

 with a solution of corrosive sublimate and spirits of wine, not 

 too strong lest a white sediment be deposited. 



