S-1141001_COMPLETO.pdf

28 APHORISMATA 1NTOMOLOGICA.
they are not the least injured, so that they can be set out at any
convenient opportunity; it also completely destroys the mites or mould
if the specimens be' infected, and it will be found to have a great many
advantages over the old plan of damp sand. I was in hope, from ex­
periments that I made on two or three green species, that the colours
would not fly; but I since regret to find, on further trial, that Eippar-
chus papilionarius, Hemithea vernaria, and Hemithea cythisaria are
considerably changed by it. Mr. Dale informs me that it answers equally
well Avith the other orders;—he having relaxed nearly the whole of his
Dragon-flies, and it is much used at Bristol for the Hymenoptera"
POSTSCRIPT.—The following items are extracted from Mr. Edward
Newman's "Eamiliar Introduction to the History of Insects:"—"The
Entomologist should be provided with two wide-mouthed vials; one
empty and perfectly dry, having a quill passing through the cork, and
going a considerable way below it: this quill may be stopped at top
by a second small cork: within the vial some blotting-paper may be
kept, which not only absorbs any moisture, but serves as something to
crawl on for the living insects which are taken from time to time and
dropped through the quill. The other vial should be made very strongly,
well corked, and three parts filled Avith spirit; common Avhisky is the
best; pure alcohol injures the colours." "Quills cut off close to the
feather are very useful for bringing home minute insects of all classes.
The aperture should be most carefully corked, the corks being cut
expressly for the purpose, and should be of sufficient length to go
half an inch into the quill, and thus not liable to come out in the pocket."
The following, by Mr. T. B. Hall, of Woodside, Liverpool, is from
"The Naturalist," old series, volume iii., page 159.—"SUBSTITUTE FOE
CORE LIXIXG IN ENTOMOLOGICAL CABINETS. — Having forwarded the
receipt committed to you by Mr. Morris to a very excellent Entomologist
of Liverpool, A. Melly, Esq., for the purpose of asking his opinion
respecting it, he states that he has always been in the habit of using
composition instead of cork, and that he finds it not only cheaper, but
quite equal to cork, and that on the Continent the plan is generally
adopted. The one he employs is much harder, and is composed of
two thirds of the best bees'-wax and one third of the best resin; but
be observes that, in this climate, the addition of tallow cannot do much
harm, and will save something in the cork: the great point is to melt
it well, and to pass the resin through a sieve before, the wax is added."
The pins you want to take out with you when collecting, to put