194 
MINUTES OF PEOCEEDINGS OF 
Insects. 
In collecting insects, a wide-mouthed bottle fitted with a bung stopper 
tied over or rather covered with thin leather should always be carried; the 
leather, being tied at the top to form a knob, to aid in pulling out the 
stopper. Fastened to this bung by a bit of fine wire is a small sponge (the 
wire should reach within two inches of the bottom of the bottle), this 
sponge should be kept wet with chloroform, which may be carried in a small 
stoppered phial in the pocket. Every insect caught of whatever order 
should be at once popped into this bottle, and which will cause its instant 
death. This will be found a capital plan as violent struggling damages 
the fine colouring of a great many insects. Beetles can always be packed 
between layers of rag. 
Butterflies, pressed flat and packed in triangular pieces of paper tightly 
gummed up, travel admirably. 
Shells. 
In collecting univalve marine shells the fish may be boiled out, but great 
care should always be taken to carefully preserve the operculum. After 
cleaning out the fish the shell should be filled with dry cotton wool (animal 
wool should in all cases be carefully avoided), and the operculum stuck to 
the wool at the mouth of the shell. 
Small crabs may be easily preserved by soaking them well in cold fresh 
water for eight or ten hours; when thoroughly dried, wash them over with the 
solution of bi-chloride of mercury. 
Large specimens should be cleaned out, and then rearticulated. 
