NOTES AND QUERIES. 227 
there were minute animal matters in the water which puzzled the 
committee as to how they got there. 
We would recommend the worthy Alderman to join the Man- 
chester Microscopical Society; perhaps it would do the whole 
committee good to become members.—Ep. 
KILLING AND PRESERVING INsEcTs.—‘ On page 163 of the 
Northern Microscopist for June, 1882, a correspondent asks ‘ what 
is the best and most humane way of killing insects, &c., so as not 
to damage them or render them unfit for either dissecting or 
mounting ?’ ” 
The question called to my mind an article which I read in the 
American Monthly Microscopical Journal, Vol. I., No. 9, entitled 
“Carbolic Acid in Balsam Mounting,” by C. M. Vorce, which, I 
think, will give the necessary information, and perhaps be of some 
value to your readers. 
I have tried this process with most excellent results in mounting 
and in the examination of insects, &c. The acid I use is the pure 
crystallized, with just sufficient water added to keep it fluid ; this 
can be obtained of any chemist. My mode of procedure is this:— 
Place a drop of the acid on a slide, and drop into it the living in- 
sect ; it will be seen to struggle for a second or two, then the limbs, 
wings, and tongue become extended ; it then becomes beautifully 
clear and transparent. The acid should now be drained away, a 
drop of balsam put on, the cover applied, and the slide finished in 
the usual manner. Or the insects, flies, &c., may be dropped into 
a small wide-mouthed bottle filled with the acid, and be examined 
or mounted at leisure. I agree with Mr. Vorce in saying that I 
can discover no difference between the effects of immersion for a 
few minutes, and immersion for weeks. 
The advantages claimed for this method is the speed with which 
the result is obtained,—almost instantaneous death of the insect, 
and that the acid does not stiffen or harden the object, but it 
remains perfectly flexible for a long time, so that the object may 
be arranged so as to display its features to the best advantage. 
Wapakoneta, Ohio. G. W. Vickers, M.D. 


