202 LFe 
ligneous acid for a short time ; then gently squeeze the inside out, 
or between pieces of blotting paper, taking care not to tear or en 
the anal orifice. After having extracted all the moisture and intesi 
insert in the aperture a bent glass blow-pipe, having a bulb in the 
die, and inflate the larva over a spirit lamp, having a flat pie( 
zinc fixed over the flame. Holding the tube so that the larva doei 
touch the zinc plate, blow gently, until it is quite dry and hard, 
requires great care, as it is liable to scorch ; and, if the skin be 
partially dry, it will, although apparently finished, become indent* 
depressed in those places where it is not thoroughly hardened, 
ascertain if the operation be complete, cease blowing, and draw ii 
breath gently ; when, if the larva is not dry, it will shrivel up, and : 
be inflated again immediately ; if, on the other hand, it is dry, it 
remain distended to its natural size and appearance. To prevent 
head from being extended too much, dry all the body except the 
and second segments, take the larva away from the spirit lamp, 
press the head into its natural position, afterwards drying it at i 
distance from the flame, without blowing through the tube. If 
larva require colouring (as almost all green larv« do) some very fi 
powdered dry colour (rather darker than the original colour of 
larva) must be introduced into the skin after it is thoroughly dry. 
get the colour evenly on the inside of the skin, it must be rolled a 
in the hand. In order to direct the heat on to any particular pla 
small hole (about the size of the head of a pin) should be made ir 
centre of the piece of zinc. This will be found to be particularly us 
when finishing the head of the larva, as above described. The obje 
having the glass tube bent is, that the head is then above the lev 
the flame ; and the bulb is to prevent any moisture from the m( 
running down the tube into the inside of the larva. I generally p 
piece of blotting paper in the mouth-piece of the tube. 
The inflation while the larva is over the lamp must be kept 
without intermission. This is very easy after a little practice, and 
not cause any exertion, as the breathing is carried on through the t 
A larva should be kept without food for a day before being killed, ; 
is almost impossible to extract the food that it has just eaten ; and, i 
the larva is dried, this shows in an ugly black patch just behind the h 
Very frequently it occurs, that, while blowing, the larva will slip ofi 
tube ; this can be prevented by tying a thin piece of cotton round 
end of the tube and the last pair of claspers. It is, however, as we 
possible, to dispense with tying the larva on the tube, as it very o 
distorts the shape of the last segments. The best larva for a first 
