334 



TAXIDERMY AND ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTING. 



FIG. 104. Butterflies Pinned 

 with their Wings Shingled. 



always necessary to pack the box in which they are contained 

 in an outer box, separating- the inner box from the outer case 



by at least two inches of straw, excelsior, 

 or some other light and elastic substance, 

 to save the specimens from being 1 jarred 

 in transport. 



Specimens that have been preserved in 

 paper, as described on page 328, in order 

 to fit them for the cabinet, should be re- 

 laxed and then expanded. In order to re- 

 lax them, one of the best methods is to 

 place the envelope which contains the 

 specimen between layers of cloth that 

 have been dampened in pure water, to 

 which has been added a small quantity of carbolic acid, 

 enough to prevent mould. Be careful not to add too much 

 carbolic acid. Another method is to lay the specimens at the 

 bottom of a jar, half-filled with sand, which has been moist- 

 ened and well carbolized. The jar should be tightly closed, 

 so as to retain the moisture. Specimens that have been fas- 

 tened with pins may be placed on pieces of board, and then 

 set in a jar, prepared in the way that has been described. 

 After exposure to the moist atmosphere of the jar, or to the 

 moisture contained within the towelling, for a period varying 

 from a few hours to a day, the specimens will be sufficiently 

 relaxed to permit of them being treated as if they had been 

 freshly taken, and mounted and expanded upon the setting- 

 board as described on page 331. It is well to have the top of 

 the jar, before the lid is placed upon it, covered with a layer of 

 blotting-paper, or some other substance which will absorb the 

 moisture which otherwise might drip from the lid upon the 

 specimens below. This is a precaution which is especially 

 necessary in the case of butterflies which are of a bright blue 

 or a pale green color, and which are much disfigured by water 

 stains. 



Mould is one of the great enemies of the collector, and strenu- 

 ous efforts should be made to prevent its appearance in the cab- 

 inet or among the specimens. In order to do this, it is well to 

 secure a thorough desiccation of the specimens, but where it is 



