PRESERVING INSECTS. 
73 
it in ruins. Spirits of turpentine, poured into a 
common glass inkstand in which there is a piece of 
sponge, and placed in a corner of your box, will 
create a poisoned atmosphere, and kill every insect 
there. The poisoning of your specimens by means 
of corrosive sublimate in alcohol is a most effectual 
method. As soon as the operation is properly per- 
formed, the depredating insect perceives that the 
prepared specimen is no longer food for it, and will 
for ever cease to attack it. But, then, every part 
must have received the poison ; otherwise those parts 
where the poison has not reached will still be ex- 
posed to the enemy ; and he will pass unhurt over 
the poisoned parts, till he arrive at that part of your 
specimen which is still wholesome food for him. 
Now, the difficulty lies in applying the solution to 
very minute specimens^ without injuring their ap- 
pearance ; and all that can be said is, to recommend 
unwearied exertion, which is sure to be attended 
with great skill ; and great skill will insure surprising 
success. I myself have attended to the preservation 
of insects with the assiduity which Horace recom- 
mends to poets : — " Nocturna versate manu, versate 
diurna." The result has been astonishing success, 
and a perfect conviction that there is no absolute 
and lasting safety for prepared specimens in zoology, 
from the depredations of insects, except by poisoning 
every part of them with a solution of corrosive sub- 
limate in alcohol. I put a good large teaspoonful of 
well pounded corrosive sublimate into a wine bottle 
full of alcohol. I let it stand over night, and the 
next morning draw it off into a clean bottle. When 
