MOSQUITOES ( CULICDIJE). 
89 
Transmission of Specimens to England. 
Pinned specimens of mosquitoes, like those of other insects, rapidly 
develop mould during the rainy season in tropical countries ; and 
since mouldy specimens are practically worthless for purposes of 
scientific determination, the insects should be sent home as soon as 
possible after being collected. To contain the specimens, if a proper 
entomological store-box is not available, any small strongly made 
box (such as a cigar-box) will serve, in the bottom of which a layer 
of cork-carpet is firmly fixed. The greatest care must be taken to 
prevent specimens getting loose and rolling about in transit, since 
in this way a single loose disc might easily destroy or hopelessly 
damage all the other specimens in the box. To prevent this, the 
pins supporting the cards should be inserted as tightly as possible 
into the cork-carpet, and they should all be driven in to the same 
level. Other pins may be inserted between the discs to stop them 
turning round, and so rubbing against the next insect. Some flake 
naphthaline, in a muslin bag, should be firmly fixed in each box to 
keep off mites, which often destroy collections in transit. If this 
cannot be obtained, then solid naphthaline or camphor may be used, 
hut then even greater care must be taken to secure it firmly in the 
box. The box containing the specimens should be well wrapped in 
cotton-wool or similar material, and firmly packed in an outer box 
for transmission (by parcel-post) to England. 
