Killing Moths 
must kill them if we are to have specimens at all, it is 
our duty to do so as swiftly and painlessly as possible. 
Asa killing agent, strong solution of ammonia (°880) 
is ideal for nearly all species, excepting the more brightly 
coloured ones, and it must never be used for green moths. 
Be certain that the ammonia solution is of full strength. 
A large, wide-mouthed, glass-stoppered confectionery 
bottle makes a good lethal chamber. Having made a 
few pinholes in each pill-box containing an insect, all 
the boxes are placed in the bottle, a piece of blotting- 
paper soaked with the ammonia is also inserted, and the 
bottle is at once closed with the stopper, which should 
fit securely and not allow the fumes to leak out. If 
this is done at night when you arrive home with 
your captives, in the morning they will be ready for 
setting. Chloroform is sometimes used as a killing 
agent ; but while it does not injure the colours in any 
way, it leaves the insects very stiff, and for some time 
after death they are difficult to set, and not infrequently 
I have had specimens, supposed to have been killed 
with chloroform, revive after setting. Nevertheless, 
chloroform is a safe agent to use for the more delicate 
and the green and brightly-coloured moths. 
Bruised laurel leaves give off fumes which kill moths 
in a satisfactory manner. ‘The fresh leaves should be 
placed in the bottom of a wide-mouthed bottle and well 
pounded. After being bruised they should be covered 
with a piece of blotting-paper or muslin. A laurel jar 
thus prepared kills quickly and cleanly; it is unequalled 
for casual specimens and such as are being hatched in- 
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