ACQUISITION AND PRESERVATION 



231 



quently become detached. Remember, that specimens 

 without adequate data, such as covered in the points 

 mentioned, are practically worthless for cabinet use. 



Insect-pins are a kind of pins made especially for the 

 purpose. The kinds much used are Klaeger numbers 

 2, 3, 4, 5, length l, and Carlsbader numbers 2, 3, 4, 

 5, length H inches. These pins are numbered accord- 

 ing to their fineness from 00 (the finest in the trade) 

 to 10 (the coarsest). The finer pins are difficult to 

 handle. It will be more convenient for the beginner to 

 mount small insects on points or angles to be described 

 later. 



Upon returning from a collecting trip, the insects 

 should be removed from the cyanide bottles, provided 

 all have been at least one-half hour therein. From 

 cyanide bottles place upon dry blotting-paper, and re- 

 move all foreign particles with a soft, dry brush. All 

 specimens should be mounted before they become dry 

 and brittle. 



Insects should be pinned through the middle of the 

 thorax (mesothorax) when this, as is generally the 

 case, is well developed. Coleoptera, however, should 

 In- pinned through the right wing-cover, since if the pin 

 is passed down between the wing-covers these will 

 spread apart. Hemiptera should be pinned down 

 through the triangular piece behind the thorax. This 

 piece is called the scutel. 



The pin should always project about one-half inch 

 above the insect, to facilitate handling. To insure 

 evenness in this regard, a small piece of cork inserted 

 one-half inch in a piece of small glass tubing can be 

 used as a gauge. This can be passed over the head of 



