PKKSEKVE LEPIDOI'TEUOlIS INsKCTS. 41 



in perfect condition. This is especially the ease with moths. 

 Even if two bottles are used at the time, one for })lacing the 

 insect in till it is stupefied and the other for final killino-, it 

 will be found that the movements of the collector during 

 collectino- and walking have been sufficient to spoil at least 

 fifty per cent, of the contents ; and the brilliant fresh 

 specimens of half an hour ago are ofl.en changed into shadows 

 of what they were. The only way to prevent this, is to pin, 

 whilst in the field, every moth and all butterflies that do not 

 close up their wings ; doing this after they have been in the 

 bottle for about five minutes, and then placing the pinned 

 specimens in the killing-box. Large and small captures 

 should be arranged in separate groups, as sometimes the big 

 specimens revive a little and may then spoil the smaller. 



Pinning moths and butterflies in the wrong way is often a 

 weak point with even experience<l collectors, yet the good 

 setting of the insect depends largely on the proper pinning. 

 The pin should go pei'pendicularly through the centre of the 

 thorax and not as is illustrated in figs. 7 and 8. At home 

 use a piece of sunflower pith to steady the insect on wdiilst 

 pinning. As long as care is taken that no tufts are rubbed 

 off, the small forceps may be used on the abdomen to keep 

 the insect in the proper position. It should be remembered 

 that where tufts are present they are often necessary to the 

 identification of the species. In the field a pith helmet will 

 be found most useful as an adjunct. In the inside one can 

 carry the store of pins ; when placed on the knees upside 

 down, it gives a good surface for pinning insects, whilst the 

 specimen can at the same time be sheltered a little from the 

 wind. In fact, I find that pinning in the field is almost as 

 easy as it is at home ; the only disadvantage is that it takes 

 a little time, but this means nothing to one who prefers 

 quality to quantity. 



The other butterflies may be packed in the paper envelopes 

 as already indicated, and w^hen they are placed in a card- 

 board box they will carry quite safely even over a long 

 distance. ^^-TTTT^'n^ 



L, L 1 B R A R Y^ 



