Xll 
Notes to Introduction. 
To properly examine and identity any species of mosquito 
some specimens must be looked at under a two-third power for 
scale structure, and others dissected, the wings mounted dry and 
the ungues in xylol balsam. Unless this is done endless confusion 
will ensue and wrong determinations will be made. Many 
species can be identified by scale ornamentation alone. To 
examine a specimen so as to show its scales, the following method 
of mounting should be employed : Every species should be pinned 
in three positions, so as to show (i) the dorsal, (ii) the ventral, 
and (iii) the lateral aspects. The insects may be killed either in 
cyanide of potassium bottles, by chloroform or sulphur fumes, 
e 
Fig'. 1. 
Method of setting a gnat. 
a, pin through disc (b) ; c, label 
for date, locality, &c. ; d, No. 
20 pin through disc (b) and 
gnat (f) ; e, point of d through 
thorax of gnat. 
or by tobacco smoke. Cyanide of potassium and chloroform are 
recommended because changes in coloration have been noticed 
when both sulphur and tobacco smoke have been used. 
The insect should be pinned as soon after death as possible 
with a No. 20 silver pin (Fig. 1, d) passed through a card disc (b), 
the pin being slightly nearer one end of the card than the other, to 
allow for the length of the legs behind. Before putting the line 
silver pin through the card disc a puncture should be made, so as 
to break the surface, otherwise the pin will crinkle up. Date and 
place of capture and a numeral should be written on the disc, 
and any notes, with corresponding number, sent with the sjieci- 
mens, especially observations regarding their habits and breeding- 
