FIELD BOOK OF INSECTS. 



In collections, butterflies and moths usually have all 

 four wings expanded to their utmost and more or less in 

 line with the lateral axis of the creature's body. This 

 makes a nice-looking collection and is the best that can 

 be done with most butterflies. However, many moths 

 have natural rest positions which are not only interesting 

 but save space. It is well, therefore, to expand the wings 

 of the left side so that the markings on both front and hind 

 wings show, but to leave the right wings in the natural rest 

 position. The reason for expanding the left side, rather 

 than the right, and for putting the triangles, etc., on the 

 left side is that most people are right-handed. This 

 arrangement makes it easy to use the pinning forceps with 

 the right hand. For the same reason, when the wings on 

 one side of grasshoppers, wasps, etc., are to be spread, the 

 left wings should be selected for the purpose. Pinning for- 

 ceps are strong forceps with broad, roughened ends and are 

 useful for pushing the pins into the cork of the storage boxes. 

 The most common form of spreading board is illustrated 

 in Plate IV. The sides are made of soft wood. In the 

 bottom of the central channel is a piece of soft cork. After 

 pinning the insect, push the pin into this central cork until 

 the back of the insect is nearly flush with the board. 

 Then draw the wings to the desired position by means of 

 forceps or of a fine needle caught in the strong front margin 

 of the wings. Never use the fingers on moths and butter- 

 flies, as this will rub off the scales which cover the wings 

 and give color to them. The wings may be kept in position 

 by means of fine pins, or bits of heavy glass, or strips of 

 tracing cloth held in place by pins placed outside of the 

 wings. A combination of the last two methods, glass on 

 paper, is best. It is well to have a number of boards with 

 grooves of different widths for use with different-sized 

 insects. The same plate shows a setting board devised 

 by Mr. Chas. E. Sleight and perhaps by others for 

 spreading caddice flies and other insects when it is desired 

 to have the legs spread as well. The holes running down 

 the center are just large enough to accommodate that part 

 of the pin which is above the insect. The wings are 

 spread as before, except that now the under side is visible 

 to the worker and the legs are accessible. 



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