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SETTING AND PRESERVING INSECTS. 
INSECTS. 
Entomologists are generally satisfied if they can obtain the insect 
in its last or perfect state; but as a few instructions for the preserva- 
tion of the egg, larva, and pupa may induce the collector to enrich 
his cabinet with such specimens, and which is absolutely necessary hi 
gaining a perfect knowledge of their nature, I shall give a few parti- 
culars for this purpose. 
The Egg . — The eggs of most insects retain their form and colour 
well if preserved in the cabinet; but those which do not promise fairly 
may be prepared after the method practised by Swammerdam. II® 
used to pierce the eggs with a very fine needle, and press all the con- 
tained juices through the aperture: he then inflated them until they 
regained their proper form by means of a small glass tube; and 
lastly, filled them with oil of spike in which some resin had been dis- 
solved. 
The Laron or Caterpillar. — The preservation of insects in this state, 
is not only one of the most curious, but useful discoveries that have 
been made in this department of science. 
The readiest and quickest way of destroying the life of the cater- 
pillar is to immerse it in spirits of wine, by which means the softness 
and transparency of the parts are retained, and are preserved for a 
length of time in this liquid. 
In the cabinet of Mr. William Weatherhead arc preserved many 
larvse of the Lepidopkra, which he prepares in the following way, and 
which answers extremely well — Having killed the animal in spirits ot 
wine, he makes a small incision or puncture in the tail, and very gently 
pressing out all the contained humours, fills the skin with very fine 
dry sand ; the insect is thus again brought to its natural shape : in the 
course of a fexv hours the skin dries, and die sand is gently shaken out : 
it is then gummed on a piece of card, and the preparation is ready for 
the cabinet: they may likewise be injected with coloured wax. There 
is another method which is frequently practised, and is as follows! 
After the whole of the entrails are pressed out, a glass tube drawn to 
a small point is inserted into the opening, through which the operator 
continues to blow while he turns the skin at the end slowly round * 
charcoal fire ; this hardens the skin equally, and dries up all the mois- 
ture within; a pin is then put through it to fix it in a standing posi- 
tion: it may afterwards be anointed w ith oil of spike in which soffl 6 
resin has been dissolved, unless it is a hairy caterpillar. 
The Tiipu . — When insects have quitted the pupa shite, the case will 
require only to be put into the drawers; but those which have insects 
within must be cither dropped into scalding water, or inclosed m a 
small tin box and exposed to the heat of a fire, which will shortly 
kill the insect within. 
