| 4of lumber & rubbish, in the shape of hard names, which tends only to mar and deform it.
I have not looked at these insects for several years, and know not whether any domestic[inserted above] species has been
sent me in addition to those named by Melsheimer. I never met with the vittata in this vicinity,
until last summer - when a number of individuals occurred upon a bed of beets in my garden,
several rods distant from any potato vines. Our species are said to be as good residents as the
C. vesicatoria, but I have never tested them. If you have spare specimens, by soaking one in vinegar,
and binding it on your arm over night, and one of C. vesicatoria also, you will be able to
judge of their comparative virtues.
I have not yet had time to take the insects from the quills and pin them up - but presume
they will open in good condition, as I see the quills are pretty well filled, so there is little chance
for their contents to shake about amd break each other to pieces.
It wholly spoils Diptera, Hymenoptera, & Neuroptera to be wet with alcohol or anything - else
- it wilts their wings, and makes them so like a wet dishcloth they cannot be spread out again,
without tearing - and unless the veins and cells of the wings can be clearly traced, the species can
seldom be ascertained. Spirits also injures the colors of Hemiptera & Orthoptera, Beetles only can
be well preserved in spirits, & a few other hard insects like them. I send you the best form for
an envelope for Lepidoptera though it is not a matter of much importance. Their wings should be spread when they are placed in the papers.
But it is best to pin as many specimens as you can, when you capture them - even if you cannot
set their wings then, they can be relaxed and spread out afterwards. The small millers, of which we have very many kinds, should be pinned, in the net, for the least rubbing with the
fingers effaces their spots. Take a lantern, in cloudy nights, and go into fields & along the side of groves, & you will attract many kinds. I want to take up & describe our smaller moths, in a year or two, & should be glad of all the kinds you can find.
Ask as many questions as you please, and I will endeavor to answer them, to the best of my ability. - I know not when my Report will be printed. It is but part wrote as yet - & it will take time for the engravers to get the illustrations ready. You will have a copy as soon as
it is out of the press. I sent you a pamphlet by today's mail. I am much obliged to you for
a copy of the Chicago paper with your interesting article on the 17-year Locust. I wish to secure
everything that is published upon American insects - hence every newspaper slip, containing anything
on this subject, is an acceptable favor. I have not yet had time to unroll and examine the twigs.
When I come to write upon this insect, for my Report, I shall look at them sharply, and do not care to
disturb them until then. I'm glad you have found a nest with a larva now in it, as I understand
you to mean.
In the last Prairie Farmer I notice two small typographical errors, one of which may have come
from my careless chirography, Baridius trivatatus, should be trinOtatus; and Bavis should be Baris.
Last evening my family, and some neighbors in on an evening's visit, lamented greatly, to find that
the rattlesnake, after being in a warm room some time, would not revive. His death is sincerely mourned,
by half the neighborhood. Leaving him in a cold room, one night when the thermometer was 24* below 0,
was a thoughtless act in me, for which I feel much provoked with myself. Well, all I can do now,
is to bottle him up, Sic transit gloria mundi. It was unanimously voted by the company, that I should
write you to send another specimen, out of your next years captures; and I will promise that he shall
be more carefully housed. If a specimen can be sent alive to Prof. De filipi, I have no doubt it will be
a very welcome remittance - & will form an addition to the university museum, which will be noticed and
even remembered by all the students. Save him as full a suit of Amphibia & Fish, next summer, as you have
opportunity for. My paper is filled and I must close. Yours Truly,
January 7, 1855, Asa Fitch | 4of lumber & rubbish, in the shape of hard names, which tends only to mar and deform it.
I have not looked at these insects for several years, and know not whether any domestic[inserted above] species has been
sent me in addition to those named by Melsheimer. I never met with the vittata in this vicinity,
until last summer - when a number of individuals occurred upon a bed of beets in my garden,
several rods distant from any potato vines. Our species are said to be as good residents as the
C. vesicatoria, but I have never tested them. If you have spare specimens, by soaking one in vinegar,
and binding it on your arm over night, and one of C. vesicatoria also, you will be able to
judge of their comparative virtues.
I have not yet had time to take the insects from the quills and pin them up - but presume
they will open in good condition, as I see the quills are pretty well filled, so there is little chance
for their contents to shake about amd break each other to pieces.
It wholly spoils Diptera, Hymenoptera, & Neuroptera to be wet with alcohol or anything - else
- it wilts their wings, and makes them so like a wet dishcloth they cannot be spread out again,
without tearing - and unless the veins and cells of the wings can be clearly traced, the species can
seldom be ascertained. Spirits also injures the colors of Hemiptera & Orthoptera, Beetles only can
be well preserved in spirits, & a few other hard insects like them. I send you the best form for
an envelope for Lepidoptera though it is not a matter of much importance. Their wings should be spread when they are placed in the papers.
But it is best to pin as many specimens as you can, when you capture them - even if you cannot
set their wings then, they can be relaxed and spread out afterwards. The small millers, of which we have very many kinds, should be pinned, in the net, for the least rubbing with the
fingers effaces their spots. Take a lantern, in cloudy nights, and go into fields & along the side of groves, & you will attract many kinds. I want to take up & describe our smaller moths, in a year or two, & should be glad of all the kinds you can find.
Ask as many questions as you please, and I will endeavor to answer them, to the best of my ability. - I know not when my Report will be printed. It is but part wrote as yet - & it will take time for the engravers to get the illustrations ready. You will have a copy as soon as
it is out of the press. I sent you a pamphlet by today's mail. I am much obliged to you for
a copy of the Chicago paper with your interesting article on the 17-year Locust. I wish to secure
everything that is published upon American insects - hence every newspaper slip, containing anything
on this subject, is an acceptable favor. I have not yet had time to unroll and examine the twigs.
When I come to write upon this insect, for my Report, I shall look at them sharply, and do not care to
disturb them until then. I'm glad you have found a nest with a larva now in it, as I understand
you to mean.
In the last Prairie Farmer I notice two small typographical errors, one of which may have come
from my careless chirography, Baridius trivatatus, should be trinOtatus; and Bavis should be Baris.
Last evening my family, and some neighbors in on an evening's visit, lamented greatly, to find that
the rattlesnake, after being in a warm room some time, would not revive. His death is sincerely mourned,
by half the neighborhood. Leaving him in a cold room, one night when the thermometer was 24* below 0,
was a thoughtless act in me, for which I feel much provoked with myself. Well, all I can do now,
is to bottle him up, Sic transit gloria mundi. It was unanimously voted by the company, that I should
write you to send another specimen, out of your next years captures; and I will promise that he shall
be more carefully housed. If a specimen can be sent alive to Prof. De filipi, I have no doubt it will be
a very welcome remittance - & will form an addition to the university museum, which will be noticed and
even remembered by all the students. Save him as full a suit of Amphibia & Fish, next summer, as you have
opportunity for. My paper is filled and I must close. Yours Truly,
January 7, 1855, Asa Fitch |
EN