The Capture, Preparation, and Preservation of Specimens 
distance. As a rule, the wings of all specimens should be mounted 
at a uniform elevation of about seven eighths of an inch above the 
point of the pin. This is known as the “ continental method ” of 
mounting, and is infinitely prefer¬ 
able to the old-fashioned “English 
method,” in which the insect was 
pinned low down upon the pin, so 
that its wings touched the surface of 
the box. 
Setting-blocks are most advanta¬ 
geously employed in setting small 
species, especially the Hesperiidce, 
the wings of which are refractory. 
When the insect has been pinned „ c , , , . , 
. r . Fig. 53.—Setting-board designed 
upon the setting-board or setting- by the author. The wings of the 
block, the next step is to set the * nse f t are ^ ld m P lace ty stn P s , of 
. . T . tracing-muslin, such as is used by 
Wings in the position which they engineers. The grooves at the side 
are to maintain when the specimen t ? h(dd the ,.! )oai c d 111 P lace 111 
. ,, , ~ u . . the drying-box. (See Fig. 59.) 
is thoroughly dry. 1 his is accom¬ 
plished by means of what are known as “ setting-needles ” 
(Fig. 56). Setting-needles may be easily made by simply stick¬ 
ing ordinary needles into wooden matches from which the tips 
have been removed. In drawing the wings into position, care 
should be taken to plant the setting-needle 
behind the strong nervure on the costal 
margin of the 
wing; otherwise 
the wings are lia¬ 
ble to be torn and 
disfigured. The 
Fig. ' 54.—Setting-block: rule in setting lep- 
?> hol “ ‘° enal ? le t he P/" idoptera is to draw 
to reach to the cork; C, cork, r 
filling groove on the bottom the anterior wing 
of the block; B, slit to hold forward j n such ° C ^ h 
thread. — 
a manner that the 
butterfly expanded upon it. 
posterior margin of this wing is at right angles to the axis of 
the body, the axis of the body being a line drawn through the 
head to the extremity of the abdomen. The hind wing should 
then be moved forward, its anterior margin lying under the op¬ 
posing margin of the front wing. When the wings have thus 
39 
