Directions for Collecting and Preserving InsectsRiley, Charles V. (Charles Valentine)
Science
Directions for Collecting and Preserving Insects
Riley, Charles V. (Charles Valentine)
Insects -- Collection and preservation
_Two Liquids to preserve Form and Color._--Professor Packard also quotes
the formula of A. E. Verrill for preserving insects in their natural
color and form. Two formulas are given; the first consists of 21/2 pounds
of common salt and 4 ounces of niter dissolved in a gallon of water and
filtered. The specimens should be prepared for permanent preservation in
this solution by being previously immersed in a solution consisting of a
quart of the first solution and 2 ounces of arsenite of potash in a
gallon of water. Professor Packard gives also the formula of M. H. Trois
for preserving caterpillars, for which it is claimed that the colors of
the caterpillars are preserved perfectly, even when exposed to strong
light. The formula for this solution is as follows:
Common salt grams 2.35
Alum do. 55
Corrosive sublimate centigrams 18
Boiling water liters 5
Allow the liquid to cool and add 50 grains of carbolic acid, and filter
after standing five or six days.
_Glycerin._--Glycerin, either pure or mixed with water or alcohol, is
frequently used to preserve the larvae of delicate insects. It preserves
the color and form better than alcohol, but particularly in the case of
larvae, it causes a softening of the tissues which renders them unfit for
study.
_The Wickersheim Preserving Fluid._--This valuable preserving fluid has
been known for some time, but is not very commonly used, on account of
frequent disappointment due to the difficulty attending its preparation.
It is claimed for it that animal or vegetable bodies impregnated with it
will retain their form, color, and flexibility in the most perfect
manner. The objects to be preserved are put in the fluid for from six to
twelve days, according to their size, and then taken out and dried in
the air. The ligaments remain soft and movable, and the animals or
plants remain fit for anatomical dissection and study for long periods,
even years. It is said to be especially valuable for the preservation of
larvae and soft-bodied insects. In order to perfectly preserve the
colors, it is necessary to leave the specimens in the fluid, or, if they
are taken out, they should be sealed up in air-tight vials or vessels.
The formula for the fluid is as follows:
Dissolve 100 grams alum, 25 grams common salt, 12 grams saltpeter, 60
grams potash, 10 grams arsenious acid in 3,000 grams boiling water.
Filter the solution, and when cold add 10 liters of the liquid to 4
liters of glycerin and 1 liter of methyl alcohol.
LABELING SPECIMENS.
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