Hostname: page-component-5c6d5d7d68-thh2z Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-08-07T07:05:01.796Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

A New Type of Entomological Killing-Bottle

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

Malcolm E. Macgregor
Affiliation:
Wellcome Field Laboratory, Surrey, Wellcome Bureau of Scientific Research.

Extract

The “cyanide bottle” is never a very attractive part of the entomologist’s equipment. When made up in the old way, i.e., plaster of Paris poured over lumps of solid potassium cyanide and the plaster then allowed to set, the contrivance has an attractive appearance, but is an abomination to use, especially if small insects are being dealt with. The large amount of water utilised in making up the plaster of Paris can never be dried out properly, and the potassium cyanide being deliquescent to some extent the presence of moisture is unavoidable. Moreover the cyanide soon decomposes and turns brown, imparting its colour to the plaster and forming an ugly-looking mass on which small insects, are not contrasted and may be easily overlooked and lost.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1920

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)