G
puparia, while still attached to a portion of the food-plant, in suit- üble glass vessels (large test tubes, &c, i støppered with a loose plug of cotton wool; these should be kept in a shady place and excessive moisture should be removed from the vessel from time to time to prevent mould. The following are some of the principal forms assumed by the male scales :-
9. In form they may resemble those of the female (Aspidiotus, &c.) or take an elongated form, being white and often ribbed logitudinally (Chionuspis, Diaspis, &c.)."
10. Forming large white flocculent masses (Dactylopius, Mono- phiebus, &c.).
11. With brittle glass-like coverings (Lecanium, &c.), or
12. Covered with closely felted sacs (Eriococcus, &c.).
COLLECTING AND PRESERVING.
These insects are generally fixed to some portion of the food- plant such as the bark, the branches and twigs, or the leaves and fruit. Many kinds are also found on the roots of plants and trees, especially the former, and in such cases are sometimes associated with ants. A few kinds are more or less active during the whole of their existence, but the majority remain permanently fixed to the food-plant. All the more or less naked soft-bodied kinds may be preserved in 75 per cent. alcohol or 3 per cent, formalin. Native spirit, gin or whisky will serve as a substitute. But spirit or formalin should be used only for the males and those females only which have soft flaccid bodies with little or no external coverings, such as are included under group 2. All other kinds must be pre- served dry, and the insects (“scales") should as far as possible be left in situ on a portion of the food plant, whether bark, twig or fruit. Those having delicate cottony, flocculent or brittle cover- ings, &c. (groups 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11 and 12), must be placed in Buitable boxes either of wood or cardboard. excellent for small lots, but are too small for general use.
Match boxes are
should be taken to pack them carefully in a little cotton wool to Care prevent damage during transit. All the smaller kinds, such as Nos. 4 and 9, travel best when packed in paper envelopes. Those kinds which infest the leaves of plants should be put into the envelopes directly after they are collected; for if the leaves are allowed to dry first they cannot be packed without considerable damage to the specimens. which a little medical creosote has been placed to prevent mould. Store in a strong wooden box into Under such conditions the specimens will usually dry without further trouble; but it is advisable to overhaul them occasionally, especially in the rainy seasons, and if excessive moisture is found to be present the specimens should be ventilated and if necessary a little more creosote added. It is important that a liberal supply of each kind should be taken; a few examples are, as a rule, useless for diagnostic purposes. On no account must freshly cut leaves, twigs or bark be packed in tin boxes or gluss vessels of any kind; if such a procedure be adopted the specimen will be utterly ruined by
mould,