PRESERVING WATER ANIMALS 



of displaying insects that it should be mentioned here. If 

 the insects have become dried they should be put into a 

 relaxing jar and left there over-night before the mounting 

 process is begun. The relaxing jar may be almost any kind 

 of large covered jar with a layer of damp sand in it overlaid 

 with clean paper. After insects have lain in such a damp 

 jar for a day or two their legs and wings can be moved easily 



Fig. 38. — Insects mounted on pins: i, with pin 

 through the thorax; 2, beetle with pin through the 

 right wing; 3, same in side view with label. 



and they are ready for the mounting process. A special in- 

 sect pin is put through the middle of the thorax or if the 

 specimen is a beetle, through the right wing, and the legs are 

 carefully extended. 



If the insect has long wings like a damselfly it should be dried 

 with wings outspread (Fig. 39); and a spreading board must 

 be used. The simplest kind is made of soft wood with a row 



Fig. 39. — Spreading board with damselfly spread 

 upon it, dorsal side down. 



43 



