44 



STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



should be pinned centrally through the thorax, Fig. 11. 

 Beetles are pinned through the right wing cover, a little 

 jback of the pro-thorax, Fig. 0, while most bugs are 

 pinned through the scutelluni, Fig. 10, the prominent 

 triangular piece just at the base of the wings. The 

 distance from the head of the pin to the insect should 

 always be the same, about three-eighths of an inch. 



Moths and butterflies, both for purposes of study and 

 exhibition, recpiire to have the wings spread. In spread- 

 BEETLE piNXED.-FiG. D. j,^g ^j^^ wiugs it is desirablc to secure the most perfect 

 uniformity, which will be accomplished by drawing the primary or front 

 wings forward, till the posterior margin is at right angles to the body of the 

 insect, Fig. 11, after which the posterior or secondary wings are drawn around 

 to the primaries. The wings are drawn around by the f 



use of pins, which should be passed through the wings 

 just back of the large main veins. With small, deli- 

 cate moths, the greatest care is recpiired that we may 

 not tear the delicate organs or rub off any of the 

 minute scales on the body or wings. Only perfect ^ ^ ti ^ i 

 specimens are desired by the best entomologist. To \ < 



spread insects, a spreading board is necessary. This, }• 



consists of two soft-wood boards, Fig. 11 d, d, each bug pinxed.— fig. lo. 



two feet long, two inches wide and one-half 

 inch thick, which are held in the same 

 plane, and parallel to each other by cross- 

 pieces, and when nailed are from one-eighth 

 to three-quarters of an inch apart, accord- 

 ing to the size of the moth, as this space. 

 Fig. 11, c, c, is to permit the body of the 

 insect to pass through so that the wings shall 

 come down to the plane of the upper surface 

 of the boards. Beneath the open space, 

 cork or corn-stalk pith, is fastened that it 

 may receive the pin and help to hold the 

 insect more securely. The spreading-board 

 illustrated is one of seven drawers, belong- 

 ing to the writer which rests in a neat wal- 

 nut case, with wire-gauze door and back. 

 This arrangement prevents injury from 

 mice, etc., and from its ample ventilation, 

 secures the rapid drying of the specimens. 

 The drawers, Fig. 11, are 10 by 12 inches. Below these drawers in the case is 

 a common drawer for holding pins, forceps, etc. To hold the wings when 

 spread, small rectangles of glass. Fig. 11, a, witli edges ground off, are laid 

 upon them. Some entomologists prefer thick card-board cut into small pieces. 

 These pieces, Fig. 11, b, by pinning above the wings, will press the latter and 

 hold them in place till they dry. 



After pinning, insects may be kept in paste-board boxes, boxes made of soft 

 wood, with close-fitting covers, or in drawers whicli may slide into a cabinet. 

 In all cases the boxes should be close fitting 



