COLLECTING INSECTS. 
57 
the contents rolled out of that part : this process is repeated, each 
time placing the roller a little nearer the head, until the whole body 
is emptied. Care should be taken, by shifting the position of the 
larva on the paper, not to let the outside of the skin get wetted. 
The roller must not be too much pressed. A glass tube drawn out 
to a point is now inserted in the posterior opening of the skin, and 
held with the spring, and air is forced into it with the inflator, while 
the skin is held over the drying-apparatus or in the small oven. 
When dry the specimen is ready for mounting on a dry stem of 
grass or other suitable object. Care should be taken not to distend 
the skin unnaturally. 
Methods of sending Specimens Home. 
It is desirable to send home small consignments at a time, and the 
parcel-post should be used wherever this is practicable. Strong 
wooden boxes * travel very well in this way ; but if pinned specimens 
are put in a box, it must be put into another rather larger one, with 
cotton-wool or other material firmly (but not too tightly) packed 
round it. Small boxes or bottles are always preferable to large 
ones, as an accident to one does not involve serious loss. 
Boxes containing pinned specimens must of course be lined at the 
bottom with cork or thick pith, into which the pins may be stuck 
firmly ; and it is desirable to pin a piece of sponge dipped in strong 
carbolic acid in the box, taking care of course not to let the acid run 
on to the specimens. Lumps of camphor or naphthaline are very 
dangerous in a box with pinned insects, and if used at all should be en- 
closed in a muslin bag, and very firmly fixed in the corner of the box. 
For the transit of certain insects, such as Coleoptera, which have 
not been pinned, spirit may be used ; but this should be avoided when 
possible. The best way is to use coarse sawdust from which all fine 
dust has been sifted. Some naphthaline should be mixed with the 
sawdust, or, when there is risk of the specimens becoming mouldy, 
carbolic acid should be used. The boxes or tins containing the 
* If cigar-boxes are used, care must be taken that they are strong enough, as 
they are otherwise apt to be crushed in transit. 
