The Capture, Preparation, and Preservation of Specimens 



been adjusted into the position which they are to occupy, slips 

 of tracing-muslin or of paper should be drawn down over them 

 and securely pinned, the setting-needles being removed. 

 In pinning down the 



strips which are to hold the 

 FIG. 56. Setting-needle. wings in place, be careful 



to pin around the wing, but 



never, if possible, through it. When the wings have been-adjusted 

 in the position in which they are to remain, the antennae, or feelers, 

 should be attended to and drawn forward on the same plane as the 

 wings and secured in place. This may ordinarily be done by set- 

 ting pins in such a position as to hold them where they are to stay. 

 Then the body, if it has a tendency to sag down at the end of the 

 abdomen, should be raised. This may also be accomplished by 

 means of pins thrust beneath on either side. The figure on the 

 next page shows more clearly what is intended. When the 

 insect has been set, the board should be put aside in a place where 

 it will not be molested or attacked by pests, and the specimens 

 upon it allowed to dry. A box with shelves in it is often used 

 for this purpose. This box should 

 have a door at the front covered 

 with wire gauze, and the back 

 should also be open, covered with 

 gauze, so as to allow a free circu- 

 lation of air. A few balls of naph- 

 thaline placed in it will tend to keep 

 away mites and other pests. The 

 time during which the specimen 

 should remain on the board until it 

 is dried varies with its size and the 



FIG. 57. Setting-board with moth 

 expanded upon it (Riley). 



condition of the atmosphere. Most butterflies and moths in dry 

 weather will be sufficiently dried to permit of their removal from 

 the setting-boards in a week; but large, stout-bodied moths may 

 require as much as two weeks, or even more time, before they are 

 dry enough to be taken off the boards. The process of drying 

 may be hastened by placing the boards in an oven, but the tem- 

 perature of the oven must be quite low. If too much heat is 

 applied, great injury is sure to result. Only a careful and expert 

 operator should resort to the use of the oven, a temperature above 

 120 F. being sure to work mischief. 



40 



