56 
INSTRUCTIONS FOR 
Habits. 
Notes on the habits of insects, number of broods, whether 
common or otherwise, if taken singly or paired, are always of 
interest. 
Nests, cocoons, and galls are of very small value, unless ac- 
companied by the insect which constructs or causes them. 
In collecting Termites, the kind of nest they were taken from 
should be noted, or photographs of the nest taken. Termites' nests 
with the specimens are much wanted. Specimens taken from one 
nest should be kept together, either in a tube or tied in a muslin 
bag. The same precaution should be taken with regard to the true 
ants (Formicidce), 
Labelling. 
Specimens should be distinctly labelled with the locality in which 
they were taken, date of capture, elevation, etc. It is also important 
to mention whether they were obtained during the wet or dry season. 
These particulars should accompany the specimens themselves, and 
not be merely noted in a book. 
Larvae. 
Persons residing in one place for any length of time can do great 
service by rearing insects from their larvae. With many caterpillars 
this is often quite easy. Larvae of unknown species, unless possessing 
some remarkable feature, are of very little interest. 
Larvae of Hymenoptera, Diptera, and Ooleoptera may be killed in 
boiling water, and after remaining in it from one to three minutes 
(according to the size of the larvae) may be preserved in spirit. 
Caterpillars may be killed in the cyanide-bottle or collecting-tin, 
and the skins preserved as dry specimens by means of the " larvae- 
preserving apparatus." 
The contents of the body are removed thus : — The dead larva is 
laid on a piece of blotting-paper, with the tail farthest from the 
operator ; a pencil (or similar thing) is laid across the tail end, and 
