8 N. C. AGR. EXP. STA. BUL. 239 
Although some of the illustrations of the females in the present work, es- 
pecially primary types, were made from undissected dry specimens, most of the 
female illustrations were made from specimens prepared as follows. The ab- 
domen was removed and placed in an almost saturated solution of KOH over- 
night, without heating. The abdomen was then placed in tapwater for at least fif- 
teen minutes, then moved to glycerine. Before dissection, the abdomen was 
moved to a deep-well slide containing glycerine. With fine needles sternum VII, 
the pygofer, and the anal tube were removed as a unit. After the genital chamber 
was observed for sclerites, sternum VII was severed at its base. The mem- 
branous connection between the third valvulae (the ovipositor sheath) and the 
pygofer was then severed. Each second valvifer was then pried loose at its ar- 
ticulation with the pygofer, and the weak connections between the inner rami of 
the first and second valvulae severed. This permitted the second valvifers, with 
the second and third valvulae attached, to be slid posteriorly, free of the other 
structures. The structures to be illustrated were then moved to another well-slide 
on which, at the bottom of the depression, a narrow line of boric acid ointment 
had been smeared before the depression was filled with glycerine. Structures 
were then oriented properly and pressed into the edge of the ointment which held 
them securely during illustration. Often the second valvulae were detached and 
placed in a drop of glycerine on a flat slide and covered with a cover glass for bet- 
ter resolution of the teeth. After the structures were illustrated, sternum VII and 
the detached portions of the ovipositor were placed into the abdominal cavity. 
The abdomen with its contents and the pygofer were then stored in glycerine ina 
glass vial in the manner commonly used for males. 
Temporary slides of the forewing were made by placing “‘posts”’ of boric acid 
ointment on a slide to support a cover glass, then placing the forewing on the 
slide and applying the cover glass. The ointment did not touch the wing, and the 
‘air mount’’ resulting was superior to mounting in a medium, for observing the 
venation with transmitted light. The forewing was later attached to the specimen 
with a drop of glue. 
Forewing characters may be seen well enough to run the generic key, by tilting 
the specimen forward. The veins are easier to see from such a dorsal and 
posterior view. The venation of the apical portion of the hindwing, sometimes 
used in the generic key is most readily observed in a specimen from which the ab- 
domen has been removed. Since the use of the key requires dissection of a male, 
specimens without abdomens are usually at hand. 
It is important to reemphasize that the small vials in which the genitalia are 
stored frequently get shaken up during shipment, with the result that the 
glycerine comes in contact with the cork. If this has happened, it is an important 
curatorial responsibility to transfer the preparations to clean vials in a few drops 
of glycerine and to replace the corks. If this is not done, eventually there will be 
damage to the labels and the pin, and ultimately to the preparations. 
Illustrations 
The illustrations were made with the aid of a camera lucida. More than half of 
those published here were made by Mrs. Judith Stewart, under my direction. 
