An elementary manual of New Zealand entomology : $b being an introduction to the study of our native insects — John Shaqi
An elementary manual of New Zealand entomology : $b being an introduction to the study of our native insectsHudson, G. V. (George Vernon)
Science
An elementary manual of New Zealand entomology : $b being an introduction to the study of our native insects
Hudson, G. V. (George Vernon)
Insects -- New Zealand
{12}When the entomologist reaches his hunting-ground, he will mount his net
and place a number of the boxes in his left-hand coat pocket. The foliage
of all trees and shrubs should be vigorously beaten and the insects
captured as they fly out. When a moth is taken, the collector will first
turn the net half way round so as to close the entrance, and then, directly
the insect ceases fluttering, he should carefully place one of the little
boxes over it and slip on the lid. The box is then transferred to the
right-hand pocket. He will soon learn to do this without in any way
damaging the insect. On arrival at home, the insects should be immediately
killed in the laurel bottle. This is an ordinary wide-necked bottle with a
small bag of well-bruised _young_ laurel shoots at the bottom, covered with
a circular piece of card fitting accurately to the sides of the bottle.
Laurel shoots can always be obtained about the middle of October, when
several killing bottles can be prepared. They must always be wiped out
before using, and kept carefully corked. After a few hours the insects
should be tilted out of the bottle on to a tablecloth, and pinned exactly
through the centre of the thorax. The rough surface of the tablecloth
prevents them from slipping during the operation. About one-third of an
inch of pin should project below the body of the insect. If a moth or
butterfly dies with its wings folded upwards over the back, it must be
carefully picked up between the thumb and index finger of the left hand,
and the pin inserted with the corresponding fingers of the right hand. When
all are pinned they should be transferred to a tin box, lined with cork,
which has been previously well damped with water. While pinning them into
this box great care must be taken not to allow the wings to come in contact
with the damp cork. In about twenty-four hours the specimens thus treated
will be ready for setting. This process is performed by means of corked
boards of various widths for different sized {13}species. Each board has a
groove down the centre for the bodies of the insects to rest in, while the
wings are spread out on either side. They should be carefully moved
forwards with a fine-pointed needle to the desired position, and retained
by strips of tracing cloth pinned firmly down at the ends. These strips
must not be removed until the insects are thoroughly dry and ready to place
in the store-box or cabinet. In setting Lepidoptera, as with other insects,
symmetry and a natural position are the main points to be aimed at, special
care being taken that the antennæ, fore- and hind-legs, and wings, are
shown in correct positions, the middle pair of legs being of course, in the
majority of cases, hidden by the wings. It is almost needless to say that
different sized pins should be used for various insects, but this point
must be left to the discretion of the collector. Entomological pins of all
sizes can be obtained from James Gardner, of 29 Oxford Street, London.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account