🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <7...@ehvie0.tq.ine.philips.nl> somebody writes:
>
>Unfortunately, half a year later the butterfly was not more than a
>few particles of dust. That's why I seriously doubt whether the
>original moth has 'survived' all those years in order for it to
>become a legend.
>
Before becoming the computer weenie that I am today, I was pursuing a career
in Entomology.  For my Master's thesis I measured several hundred wasp heads,
punched the numbers onto cards and cranked them through the bowels of
statisical packages like SAS and SPSS (after some abortive futzing with APL).
The specimens I examined were on the order of thirty years of age, and nothing
more had been done to them other than sticking them on a pin and keeping them
away from dermestid beetles (which like to eat dead insects).  In the same
boxes were specimens dating from the late 1800's.  Believe me, dead insects
can last a long time, if kept away from moisture and dermestids (usually done
by putting mothballs (napthalene) or other slow-releasing insecticide in the
case).

Jim

James Purdon
pur...@cons1.mit.edu