Collecting and Rearing Insects 



659 



and collectors. These boxes may be bought of dealers in naturalists' sup- 

 plies. 



Butterflies, dragon-flies, and other larger and beautiful-winged insects 

 should be "spread," that is, should be allowed to dry with wings expanded. 

 To do this spreadingor setting boards (Figs. 804 and 805) are necessary. 



Such a board consists of two strips of wood 

 fastened a short distance apart so as to 

 leave between them a groove for the body 

 of the insect, and upon which the wings 

 are held in position until the insect is dry. 

 A narrow strip of pith or cork should be 

 fastened to the lower side of the two strips 

 of wood, closing the groove below. Into 

 this cork is thrust the pin on which the 

 insect is mounted. Another strip of wood 

 is fastened to the lower sides of the cleats 

 to which the two strips are nailed. This 

 serves as a bottom and protects the points 

 of the pins which project through the piece 

 of cork. The wings are held down, after 

 having been outspread with the hinder 



FIG. 804. FIG. 805. 



FIG. 804. Setting-board with butterflies properly spread. (After Comstock.) 



FIG. 805. Setting- board in cross-section to show construction. (After Comstock.) 



margins of the fore wings about at right angles to the body, by strips of paper 

 pinned down over them. 



" Soft specimens, " such as insect larvae, myriapods, and spiders, should 

 be preserved in bottles of alcohol (85 per cent.). Specimens which the 

 collector may desire to preserve in condition fit for future dissecting should 

 be killed in boiling water, into which they should be dropped and allowed 

 to remain for a minute or two until thoroughly stiffened, and then removed 

 to 50 per cent, alcohol for six hours, and finally to 85 per cent, alcohol for 



