The Capture, Preparation, and Preservation of Specimens 
same as when setting-boards are used, with the simple difference 
that, instead of pinning strips of paper or tracing-muslin over the 
wings, the wings are held in place by threads or very narrow 
tapes, which are wound around the block. When the wings are not 
covered with a very deep and velvety covering of scales the threads 
or tapes may be used alone; but when the wings are thus clothed 
it becomes necessary to put bits of paper or cardboard over the 
wings before wrapping with the threads. Unless this is done 
the marks of the threads will be left upon the wings. Some 
little skill, which is easily acquired by practice, is necessary in order 
to employ setting-blocks to advantage, but in the case of small 
species and species which have refractory wings they are much 
to be preferred to the boards. 
The Preparation and Preservation of Eggs .—The eggs of but¬ 
terflies may be preserved by simply putting them into tubes con¬ 
taining alcohol, or they may be placed in vials containing dilute 
glycerine or a solution of common salt. The vials should be kept 
tightly corked and should be marked by a label written with a 
lead-pencil and placed within the bottle, upon which the name 
of the species and the date of collection should be noted, or a 
reference made to the collector’s note-book. Unless the eggs of 
insects are preserved in fluid they are apt in many cases to dry up 
and become distorted, because, on account of their small size, it 
is impossible to void them of their contents. The larvae escaping 
from eggs often void the shell very neatly, leaving, however, a 
large orifice. Such remnants of shells may be preserved, as they 
often are useful in showing some of the details of marking; but 
great vigilance in securing them should be exercised, for almost 
all the larvae of butterflies have the curious habit of whetting thei 
appetites for future repasts by turning around and either wholly 
or partially devouring the shell of the egg which they have quitted. 
Eggs are most neatly mounted in the form of microscopic slides 
in glycerine jelly contained in cells of appropriate depth and diam¬ 
eter. It is best, if possible, t^ mount several specimens upon the 
same slide, showing the side of the egg as well as the end. A 
cabinet filled with the eggs of butterflies thus mounted is valu¬ 
able and curious. 
The Preservation of Chrysalids .—Chrysalids may be deprived 
of their vitality by simply immersing them in alcohol, or they 
may be killed by means of chloroform, and they may then be 
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