The Capture, Preparation, and Preservation of Specimens 
extremity of the larval skin. Upon the release of pressure they 
spread apart, and after the shellac has dried the skin is firmly 
held by them. They may then be attached to pins by simply 
twisting the free end of the wire about the pin, or they may be 
placed upon artificial imitations of the leaves and twigs of their 
appropriate food-plants.” 
THE PRESERVATION AND ARRANGEMENT OF 
COLLECTIONS 
The secret of preserving collections of lepidoptera in beauti¬ 
ful condition is to exclude light, moisture, and insect pests. 
Light ultimately bleaches many species, moisture leads to mould 
and mildew, and insect pests devour the specimens. The main 
thing is therefore to have the receptacles in which the specimens 
are placed dark and as nearly as possible hermetically sealed and 
kept in a dry place. In order to accomplish this, various devices 
have been resorted to. 
Boxes. — Boxes for the preservation of specimens are made with 
a tongue on the edges of the bottom fitting into a groove upon the 
lid, or they may be made with inside 
pieces fastened around the inner edge 
of the bottom and projecting so as to 
catch the lid. 
The accompany- 
ingoutlinesshow 
the method of 
joining different 
forms of boxes 
(Figs. 65-67). 
The bottom of 
the box should 
be lined with 
some substance 
which will enable 
Fig. 65. —Detail drawing of 
front of box, made to resemble a 
book: 5, 5, sides, made of two 
fU/S/Ss tu 
] 
p 
V 
"eT- 
I 
1 
1 
is 
s y 
4K‘(iV: 
' ! 
//// //b yvy/zy/;. 
pieces of wood glued together 
across the grain; t, tongue; g, 
groove; c, cork; p, paper cover¬ 
ing the cork. 
Fig. 66. —Detail drawing 
of front of box: t, top; b, 
bottom; e, side; /, strip, 
nailed around inside as at n ;; 
the specimens to c , cork; p, paper lining. 
be pinned into it securely. For this purpose sheet-cork about a 
quarter of an inch thick is to be preferred to all other substances. 
Ground cork pressed into lavers and covered with white paper 
'48 
