92 
Psyche 
[December 
any slight correction that may be necessary by propping up an edge or 
a corner or an end of the slide on a small lump of plasticine. 
Storage 
Prepared slides of ant larvae are always stored flat in the horizontal 
position. To store on edge is to risk displacement of the specimen, 
since the interior of a thick balsam mount requires years to harden. 
Thin mounts may, of course, be stored in any position as soon as the 
edges of the cover slip are sealed. 
Preserved larvae may be stored indefinitely in 85% alcohol. The 
only precaution required is to prevent drying by evaporation through 
a faulty seal. (Dried larvae may be relaxed by methods given above.) 
Summary of T cchnique 
1. Puncture integument 
2. 10% KOH until clean 
3. Distilled water — 15 minutes 
4. Transfer to 1% HCL 
5. Add 5 drops acid fuchsin ; leave 
12 hours 
6. 95% alcohol for an hour 
7. Add carbolxylol gradually 
8. Carbolxylol 15-60 minutes 
9. Xylol 
10. Add thin balsam gradually 
11. Transfer to balsam on slide 
12. Arrange in desired position 
13. Examine daily; rearrange as of- 
ten as necessary until desired po- 
sition has been maintained for 
+8 hours 
Descriptions 
We have generally followed this plan in writing our specific des- 
criptions of ant larvae : body shape ; leg vestiges ; spiracles; integument ; 
body hairs; head shape; antennae; head hairs; labrum; mandibles; 
maxillae; maxillary palp; galea; labium; labial palp; opening of 
sericteries ; hypopharynx. To facilitate taking notes we have pre- 
pared and used a mimeographed form with a blank space under each 
of the above headings. 
When a larva is to be described the prepared slides are studied 
under a stereomicroscope for low magnifications and a microscope 
for high magnifications. 
Measurements are made by comparison with the squares of an eye- 
piece reticule (= net micrometer) which has been calibrated with 
a stage micrometer. 
D r azvings 
All our drawings of ant larvae are made with the aid of a micro- 
scope. A reticule (= net micrometer) is placed in the eyepiece. This 
superimposes a grid of squares on the image of the object. The draw- 
ing of the object is made on coordinate paper. The size of squares 
used is determined by the desired enlargement of the drawing. If 
