English insects hitherto discovered, those excepted which, as before
observed, are better preserved in spirits or between sliders, I would
recommend one on the following plan:
The height may be about three feet four inches, the width two feet four
inches, and the depth one foot four inches, inclosed with folding doors,
and provided with a good lock. The inside to be partitioned down the
middle, so as to admit of a range of twelve square drawers on each side;
under these, two or three drawers may be fitted extending the whole
width, to admit the larger kinds of insects, such as the sphinges,
cancri, &c. the sides and backs of all these drawers should be of cedar,
and the fronts mahogany, with a brass ring or button to each. The cork
with which their bottoms are lined, must be chosen as free from cracks
as possible, and, after being washed several times with a solution of
corrosive sublimate in spirit of wine, to destroy the animalcula, glued
on to prevent its warping. The whole surface must be made perfectly
smooth and level, and this, as well as the sides, covered with imperial
paper carefully pasted on, and afterwards moistened with alum-water. The
paper should be exactly ruled into squares proportioned to the size of
the insects they are intended to contain; and the names of each order
and genus affixed according to the system of Linnæus. By way of
embellishment, the edges may be lined all round the drawers with narrow
slips of some kind of ornamental paper. The fore-part of each drawer
should have a thin partition to admit of a proper quantity of camphor,
with a number of small air-holes for the more ready diffusion of its
effluvia to the insects contained in the drawer: the tops of these
partitions must be closed with thin slips of wood laid on them and
fitted with nicety, but not glued. To prevent the admission of dust and
air, and exhibit the contents to advantage, the top of each drawer must
be glazed with the finest glass, fitted into a frame of the same size as
the drawer, made either to slide in a groove, or let in on a rabbet.
Having proceeded thus far, it will be adviseable to let the cabinet be
thoroughly aired, before any insects are deposited in it, and to be
particularly careful that all the insects so deposited be as free as
possible from moisture; if the cabinet be then constantly kept in a dry
situation, the camphor occasionally renewed, and the air excluded, there
is every reason to expect that the several insects may be for a long
time preserved in a state of perfection. If, notwithstanding all these
precautions, little dusty particles should appear on any of the insects,
which is a certain sign of the presence of animalcula, they should be
gently wiped with a hair pencil dipped in spirit of wine, or carefully
removed into a chip box and placed on the side of a Bath stove for a
short time; by these means, if early attended to, they will be
sufficiently baked to prevent future injury. A strict adherence to the
above particulars, enabled me to preserve the contents of the cabinet
formerly in my possession, now the property of Sir John St. Aubyn, Bart.
F. R. & L. S. for several years in the most perfect condition, though
containing considerably above 2000 articles. Within the same space of
time, to my certain knowledge, several valuable collections have been
either totally destroyed, or very materially injured; as when once the
depredations commence, the destruction proceeds with rapidity, if not
speedily prevented.
Those who are desirous of enriching their collection with the
productions of other climes, will require a cabinet much more extensive,
or, as the subject may be said to be inexhaustible, may devote several
to exotic insects only. The collection made by Mr. Drury being, I
believe, the most superb which has ever appeared in this kingdom, it may
prove agreeable to many of my readers to give them a concise account of
it. It is contained in five large cabinets, and consists of two
divisions; first, those found in this country, and, secondly, those
procured from various quarters of the globe. The English collection
contains 2324 different insects, and the foreign one 5066; total, 7380:
the latter comprises of coleoptera, 1716; hemiptera, 676; lepidoptera,
1739; neuroptera, 122; hymenoptera, 472; diptera, 312; aptera, 29. The
whole of this magnificent collection is regularly arranged, according to
the Linnean system, in 144 drawers. Some of the most beautiful objects
in this collection are exhibited and fully described in a work published
by Mr. Drury, in three vols. quarto, containing on 150 plates about 700
elegantly coloured specimens.
The climate of Asia is particularly favourable to the production of
numerous articles in the several branches of natural history unknown to,
or not natives of Europe; especially those of the lepidoptera order of
insects, numbers of which are remarkably large, and exhibit a variety of
the most beautiful colours. This induces gentlemen, previous to their
departure for India, to furnish themselves with cabinets at a
considerable expense, anticipating the satisfaction they shall enjoy
during their residence there, in arranging and depositing therein the
several articles they purpose collecting, and entertaining their friends
with a view of them. Besides this, they receive commissions from their
European friends to collect and remit to them as many as they can,
neither party conceiving that this would be attended with any
considerable degree of trouble or inconvenience. It may, therefore, not
be amiss to introduce here what the Rev. Mr. John, one of the Danish
missionaries at Tranquebar, says on the subject.[168] “The rainy season
is in the highest degree injurious to collections in every part of
natural history, shells and minerals excepted. To obtain a permanent
cabinet, if not impossible, is at least very difficult and expensive.
Insects, unless carefully preserved in close cases, well secured from
the accession of the smallest particle of air, are soon covered with
mouldiness; nor are dried fish, stuffed birds, skins of animals, plants,
&c. exempted from this inconvenience; if not frequently exposed to the
rays of the sun or dried in ovens, myriads of animalcula in a short time
form a settlement and inevitably destroy them. All the cabinets received
from Europe, lined in the accustomed manner with cork or deal, are here
on this account totally useless, besides their being soon disjointed by
the heat of the climate. Sail cloth, well pitched and extended on
frames, is far better calculated to answer the purpose; a number of
these may be placed one above another, at a convenient distance, and the
whole supported on light feet: to render them more pleasant to the eye,
the linen may be covered as most agreeable either with white or coloured
paper. Even the echini, and the smaller marine plants, attract so much
dampness as to lose their colours and spiculæ, and fall to pieces,
especially if they have not for some time been previously soaked in
fresh water, in order to deprive them of their saline particles. Stuffed
birds, &c. lose their feathers or hair, and the more soft and tender
parts fall off. Consequently, if no ships go from hence during the month
of October, but are detained till February, the major part of what I
have collected for such of my friends in Europe who are admirers of the
wonderful works of the Creator, will be lost to myself and them, besides
subjecting me to the imputation of a want of attention and gratitude for
favours previously received, than which nothing can be farther from my
heart.”
[168] Neuere Geschichte der Missions Anstalten. 48 stück. Halle 1796.
The above remarks, it is hoped, will afford some useful hints to
gentlemen intending to visit India; as well as plead in justification of
those who, unacquainted with the difficulty of preserving collections in
so warm a climate, have previous to their departure precipitately made
promises to their friends, which for want of being realized, have too
frequently exposed them to unmerited censure.
A
COPIOUS LIST
OF
MICROSCOPIC OBJECTS.
In the introductory part to our author’s list of objects in Chap. X. he
very justly observes, that from the nature of the subject the list must
be very imperfect, &c. it is not with the vain idea of rendering that
complete which he has left imperfect, and which indeed must ever remain
so, that the following general list is introduced; but principally with
the view of still farther assisting the tyro, and pointing out a variety
of articles, that might not otherwise so readily occur to him. In most
instances, I have mentioned where the objects may be sought for with a
probability of success; to have described them would have exceeded my
limits. The specimen here given, will convince the reader, that it would
be no very difficult task, so to enlarge this list, as to constitute a
volume; but, it is presumed, that in its present state it will be found
sufficiently extensive, and of considerable utility. To those who are
already conversant with the subject, it may prove acceptable as a kind
of index to assist their memories; and to such as may be disposed to
form a cabinet, it will serve the purposes of directing them in their
choice of the principal objects, and exhibiting some idea of the manner
in which they are to be arranged.
I. ANIMALS, AND THEIR PARTS.
THE HUMAN SPECIES, QUADRUPEDS, &C.
The human hair
Horse hair
Hog’s bristles
Mouse hair
Smellers of cats, tygers, &c.
Cuticle, or scarf skin of the human body
The skin itself
Membrana adiposa
Muscular fibres
Nerves
Arteries and veins
Intestines or guts
Lacteals
Lympha ducts
Lungs
Liver
Pancreas, &c.
Brain
Eye, its coats, humours, &c.
Nose, its ossa spongiosa, &c.
Ear, its hair, wax, tympanum, &c.
Tongue, its fibres, nervous papillæ, &c.
Blood, its globules, circulation, &c.
Nails and hoofs in thin slices
Bones, &c. &c.
OBJECTS PECULIAR TO BIRDS.
Feathers and their plumage
Pith of ditto cut transversely
Red combs and gills of cocks
Scaly skin of the legs
Web or membrane of waterfowl
Fleshy fibres, particularly the gizzard
Eggs, their beautiful teints
Coloured iris of the eye in some, &c.
The breast bones and scapulæ of small birds; to which may be added,
The membranaceous wings of the bat
OBJECTS PECULIAR TO FISHES.
Many of these exhibit most beautiful objects, from the elegant variety
of the colours and teints of their skins and scales
Their spines
Fins
Fleshy fibres
Sperm or hard roe
Teeth
Brain
Eye, its iris
Lungs and other viscera
Gills
Circulation of the blood in the fins and tails of small fishes
Shells of most kind of shell-fish
Fimbriæ or fringed extremities of shells, &c.
INSECTS.
1. _Coleoptera._
The entire insect if not too large
The head
Antennæ
Wings
Elytra
Legs, &c.
Scarabæus auratus, rose-chaffer; on flowers
Dermestes domesticus, the death-watch of Geoffroy
Dermestes pulicaris, flea beetle; on flowers
Ptinus pectinicornis; in old trunks of willows
Ptinus fur; very destructive in cabinets
Ptinus fatidicus (Shaw) death-watch, see page 688.
Gyrinus natator, water-flea
Byrrhus scrophularia; on flowers
Silpha pustulata; on trees
Silpha aquatica
Silpha pulicaria; frequently running on flowers
Cassida viridis on verticillated plants and thistles
Cassida nebulosa; on thistles
Cassida nobilis
Coccinella, 2 punctata; on alder and other trees
Coccinella, 5 punct. in gardens
Coccinella, 7 punct. lady-cow or lady-bird
Coccinella, 9 punct. on trees
Coccinella, 14 punct.
Coccinella, 16 punct.
Coccinella, 22 punct.
Coccinella, 14 guttata; in woods
Coccinella, 2 pustulata; on trees and flowers
Chrysomela tanaceti; on tansy
Chrysomela alni; on common alder
Chrysomela betulæ; on birch trees
Chrysomela polygoni; on grass
Chrysomela polita; on willows
Chrysomela populi; on poplar trees
Chrysomela sanguinolenta; in woods
Chrysomela hyoscyami; on henbane
Chrysomela exsoleta; in gardens
Chrysomela 12 punctata; } on
Chrysomela asparagi; } asparagus
Curculio cyaneus; on willows
Curculio cerasi; on black cherry trees
Curculio pruni; on cherry trees
Curculio acridulus; on plants of the genus tetradynamia
Curculio granarius, weevil
Curculio dorsalis; on the lesser celandine
Curculio pini; on Scotch fir
Curculio lapathi; on docks, particularly water dock
Curculio scaber; on nettles
Curculio quercus; on leaves of oak
Curculio viscariæ; on lychnis viscaria
Curculio pericarpius; on fig-wort
Curculio betulæ; on birch and alder
Curculio beccabungæ; on veronica beccabunga
Curculio alni; on leaves of alder
Curculio fagi; on beech trees
Curculio pomorum; on apple trees
Curculio nucum; in hazel nuts
Curculio scrophulariæ; on fig-wort
Curculio tortrix; in the twisted leaves of poplars
Curculio pyri; on pear trees
Curculio argentatus; in gardens
Cerambyx moschatus;[169] on willows, roses, &c.
Lampyris noctiluca; glowworm
Cantharis ænea; on flowers
Elater castaneus; on the bark of trees in woods
Elater sanguineus; on the bark of trees
Cicindela riparia; } on wet
Cicindela aquatica; } sandy ground
Dytiscus cinereus; } water
Dytiscus sulcatus; }
Carabus granulatus; in fields near London
Carabus crepitans; under stones
Carabus 6 punctatus; on sand near brooks
Carabus 4 maculatus; on sandy banks of rivers
Mordella aculeata; on flowers
Staphylinus murinus; on horse-dung
Staphylinus riparius; on wet sand
Staphylinus chrysomelinus; on sand and near walls
Forficula auricularia, earwig
Forficula minor, small ditto
[169] I have caught great numbers of these on white rose trees and
rasp-berry bushes, in the vicinity of London; their smell has to me
always appeared approaching nearer to that of oil of rhodium than of
musk.
2. _Hemiptera._
Parts to be viewed the same as the Coleoptera
Blatta orientalis; in bakehouses and near chimnies
Gryllo-talpa, mole-cricket; chiefly under ground
Gryllus domesticus, house-cricket
Gryllus campestris; under ground
Gryllus grossus, common grass-hopper
Gryllus verrucivorus, great green grass-hopper
Cicada cornuta; on trees, &c.
Cicada spumaria, black-headed frog-hopper, cuckow-spit, or froth-worm;
in froth on sundry plants
Cicada viridis; on water plants
Cicada ulmi; on elms
Cicada rosæ; on rose trees
Notonecta glauca, common boat-fly; swims on its back in smooth water
Notonecta striata, brown boat-fly; on water
Notonecta minutissima, little boat-fly; swims on its back
Nepa cinerea, water scorpion; on water
Nepa cimicoides; on water
Nepa linearis; on stagnant water
Cimex lectularius, bed bug
Cimex scaraboides; on flowers in meadows
Cimex corticalis; on trees
Cimex betulæ; on birch trees
Cimex filicis; on fern
Cimex baccarum; on gooseberry bushes
Cimex personatus; in houses
Cimex hyoscyami, scarlet bug; on henbane
Cimex umbratilis; on flowers
Cimex striatus; in woods near Hampstead
Cimex populi; in woods, particularly on the trunk of the poplar
Cimex abietis; on Scotch fir
Cimex lacustris; runs quick on still water
Cimex stagnorum; on stagnant waters
Aphis ribis, currant louse; on the bushes
Aphis ulmi, elm
Aphis sambuci, elder
Aphis rumicis, dock
Aphis aceosæ, sorrel
Aphis lychnidis, campion
Aphis rosæ, rose
Aphis tiliæ, lime
Aphis brassicæ, cabbage
Aphis sonchi, sow thistle
Aphis cardui, thistle
Aphis tanaceti, tansey
Aphis absinthii, wormwood
Aphis jaceæ, knapeseed
Aphis betulæ, birch
Aphis fagi, beech
Aphis quercus, oak; under the bark
Aphis salicis, willow
Aphis populi, poplar
Aphis aceris, maple; on the leaves
Aphis atriplicis; rolled up in the leaves of the grass-leaved orach
Chermes graminis; on grass
Chermes pyri; on pear trees
Chermes scorbi; on mountain ash
Chermes urticæ; on nettles
Chermes alni; on common alder
Chermes quercus; on leaves of oak
Chermes abietes; on fir
Chermes fraxini; on ash trees
Coccus hesperidum, greenhouse bug; on orange trees
Coccus betulæ; on the divarications of the branches of birch trees
Coccus philarides; on canary grass
Thrips junipera; on bark of old trees
Thrips fasciata; on flowers
Thrips physapus; on dandelion, &c. p. 350.
3. _Lepidoptera._
Their wings, scales, and feathers, tongue or proboscis, head, eyes,
antennæ, chrysalides, eggs, legs, &c.
Papilio cardamines, orange tip; in hedge sides
Papilio Io, peacock; in lanes and hedge sides
Papilio Mæra, great Argus or wall; on walls and banks
Papilio galathea, white marbled; in meadow
Papilio cardui, painted lady; on furzes and teazles
Papilio Iris, purple emperor; in woods
Papilio polychtoros, large tortoise-shell; in lanes
Papilio urticæ, small tortoise-shell; on banks
Papilio maturna, heath fritillary; on heaths
Papilio cinxia, glanville or plantain fritillary; meadows
Papilio paphia, silver wash or great fritillary; in woods
Papilio aglaja, dark green fritillary; in woods
Papilio cuphrosyne, pearl border fritillary; in woods
Papilio quercus, purple hair streak; in bushes
Papilio rubi, bramble or green; in woods
Papilio pamphilus, small gate keeper; in meadows
Sphinx ocellata, eyed hawk moth; on willows
Sphinx populi, poplar hawk moth; poplars and willows
Sphinx tiliæ, lime hawk moth; on lime tree bark
Sphinx convolvuli, unicorn hawk moth; in fields where bindweed grows
Sphinx ligustri, privet hawk moth; in privet hedges
Sphinx atropos, jasmine hawk moth, bee-tyger, or death head; in
potatoe fields
Sphinx elpenor, elephant moth; on vines, convolvulus, &c.
Sphinx stellatarum, large bee moth, or humming bird; in gardens on
flowers
Sphinx filipendulæ, burnet moth; on grass in meadows
Phalæna pavonia, emperor; on osier grounds
Phalæna rubi, fox; near woods
Phalæna pini, pine lappet; on pines
Phalæna vinula, puss; on barks of trees
Phalæna neustria, lacky; thorns
Phalæna caja, great tyger; on banks
Phalæna villica, cream spot tyger; on banks which face the rising sun
Phalæna monacha, black arches; in woods
Phalæna salicis, white sattin; in willow bark
Phalæna zigzag, pebble; ibid.
Phalæna cossus, goat; p. 334
Phalæna libatrix, furbelow
Phalæna jacobææ, cinnabar or pink underwing; commons
Phalæna pronuba, large yellow underwing; in gardens
Phalæna festucæ, gold spot; in ditches near marshes
Phalæna psi, grey dagger; in bark of willows
Phalæna meticulosa, angled shades; on nettles
Phalæna aceris, sycamore tussock; near sycamores
Phalæna exsoleta, sword grass; in marshes
Phalæna oxyacanthæ, Ealing’s glory; in hedges at Ealing
Phalæna pisi, broom, or favourite; in meadows
Phalæna amataria, buff argus; in lanes
Phalæna syringaria, Richmond beauty; in hedges
Phalæna prunaria, orange; in lanes and hedges
Phalæna verticalis, mother of pearl; on nettles
Phalæna evonymella, small ermine; in orchards
Phalæna salicella, rose; gardens
Phalæna sarcitella; frequent in houses
Phalæna granella; in houses and granaries
Phalæna pomonella, codling or apple tree; in orchards
Phalæna didactyla, brown-feathered; among nettles
Phalæna pentadactyla, white-feathered; in woods
Phalæna hexadactyla, many-feathered; on the lonicera, &c.
4. _Neuroptera._
Their wings, head, eyes, antennæ,&c.
Libellula depressa
Libellula Ænea
Libellula grandis
Libellula forcipata
Libellula virgo
Libellula puella
Ephemera vulgata
Ephemera vespertina
Ephemera culiciformis
Ephemera horaria
Ephemera striata
Phryganea bicaudata
Phryganea nebulosa
Phryganea striata
Phryganea rhomboidica
Phryganea flavilatera
Phryganea nigra
Phryganea longicornis
Hemerobius perla, golden eye; on plants, page 206
Hemerobius chrysops
Hemerobius sexpunctatus
Hemerobius formicarum
Panorpa communis; meadows
5. _Hymenoptera._
Wings, sting, proboscis, &c.
Cynips glecomæ; in tubercles on leaves of ground-ivy.
Cynips quercus baccarum; in small tubercles on the under side of oak
leaves
Cynips quercus folii; in large tubercles on oak leaves
Cynips quercus petioli; in tubercles on the petiolus of oak leaves
Cynips quercus gemmae; in the large imbricated galls on the extreme
buds of oak trees
Tenthredo lutæa; on willow, alder, birch
Tenthredo rustica; on willows
Tenthredo scrophulariæ; on fig-wort
Tenthredo rosæ; on rose trees
Tenthredo cynosbati; on hips
Tenthredo caprææ; on willows
Ichneumon comitator; in wasps nests
Ichneumon manifestator; woods
Ichneumon puparum; in the chrysalides of butterflies
Ichneumon aphidum; breeds in the bodies of aphides
Ichneumon globatus; breeds in white silky balls about one inch long,
which are found on different plants in meadows
Ichneumon glomeratus; breeds in the caterpillar of the cabbage
butterfly
Ichneumon pectinicornis; in the chrysalides of butterflies
Sphex viatica
Sphex cribraria
Chrysis ignita; in walls
Vespa crabro, hornet; builds in hollow trees
Vespa vulgaris, common wasp
Vespa coarctata, small wasp
Apis centuncularis; builds in old trees
Apis rufa, small field bee
Apis mellitica, common hive bee
Apis manicata; on flowers
Apis conica; builds on the ground
Apis terrestris, humble bee; builds deep in the ground
Apis subterranea, great humble bee
Formica herculeana, horse ant, large
Formica rufa; in gardens
Formica fusca, brown, common ant
Formica nigra, black
Formica rubra, little red ant
6. _Diptera._
Oestrus bovis, breeze or gad fly, see page 294, note
Oestrus hæmorrhoidalis, see page 295, note
Oestrus ovis, grey fly, see page 296, note
Tipula crocata; in meadows
Tipula lunata; ibid.
Tipula cornicina; ibid.
Tipula plumosa, sea tipula, resembles a gnat, and is frequently
mistaken for it
Tipula littoralis; on trees
Tipula monilis; in meadows and on windows, &c.
Musca chamæleon, p. 248
Musca morio; in gardens
Musca pyrastri; ibid.
Musca menthastri; flowers
Musca pipiens; on mint, &c.
Musca inanis; on flowers
Musca pellucens; on rose trees
Musca cæsar; in woods and gardens
Musca cadaverina; on flesh
Musca vomitoria, blue flesh fly
Musca carnaria, common flesh fly
Musca domestica, common house fly
Musca cellaris; frequently found dead in wine and vinegar
Musca putris; breeds in cheese and dung
Musca stercoraria; on dung
Musca vibrans; on trees
Musca flava; on flowers
Musca solstitialis; on thistles
Tabanus bovinus, great horse fly
Tabanus pluvialis; in meadows
Culex pipiens, common gnat, see page 187 note, 623
Culex bifurcatus; in watery places
Culex pulicaris; in gardens in the spring
Conops calcitrans, differs from the common fly, in having a sharp hard
proboscis, with which it strikes our legs in autumn
Conops macrocephala; in meadows
Asilus craboniformis, hornet fly; in wet meadows
Asilus forcipatus; in gardens
Asilus morio; in wet woods
Bombylius major, humble bee fly, sucks flowers without resting on them
Bombylius medius; hovers in the air like a hawk, and darts with great
celerity
Bombylius minor; in Caen wood, near Hampstead
Hippobosca equina; fastens on dogs and cattle
Hippobosca hirundinis; in swallows’ nests
7. _Aptera._
Lepisma saccharina; in the joints of sash windows that are wet and
seldom opened
Podura viridis; on plants in April
Podura plumbea; on trees, solitary
Podura villosa; on stones
Podura aquatica; numerous on the leaves of aquatic plants
Termes pulsatorium, the death-watch of Linnæus, p. 688, note
Pediculus humanus, common louse, see p. 619
Pediculus pubis, crab louse
Pediculus bovis, cattle
Pediculus vituli, ibid.
Pediculus corvi, raven
Pediculus gallinæ, capon
Pediculus columbæ, pidgeon
Pulex irritans; see page 616
Acarus reduvius, sheep louse or tick
Acarus ricinus, dog tick
Acarus passerinus; on many species of small birds
Acarus aquaticus; on stagnant water, swims quick
Acarus holosericeus, scarlet spider; on the ground and on plants
Acarus coleoptratorum, beetle-tick; hundreds are found on the belly of
a beetle
Acarus longicornis; under stones, &c.
Phalangium opilio, long-legged spider
Phalangium cancroides, scorpion tick; on garden pots, sometimes in
houses
Aranea cucurbitina; on fruit trees
Aranea labyrinthica; in fields
Aranea domestica, house spider
Aranea redimita; in gardens
Aranea senaculata, large; on walls, &c.
Aranea scenica, black; on old walls and windows; spins no web
Aranea aquatica, pale brown