LEPIDOl'TEROUS INSECTS 230 



bring it over the one pair of wings so that these come 

 flat on the board and then bring the wings in position 

 with the setting-needle, holding the strip of tracing-cloth 

 with the other hand in such a way that it may be drawn 

 tight at any moment without interfering Avith the wings 

 when moving them upwards. The use of the setting- 

 needle requires a little practice in order to move the 

 wings forward with it without piercing the wing-mem- 

 brane with its point. Holding the needle almost per- 

 pendicular to the wing against a rather thick vein is 

 the best precaution against making holes, provided the 

 insect is sufficiently fresh or so relaxed that the wings 

 move easily. T find it a good practice to blow against 

 the insect before placing it in the groove; if the Tvings 

 flap up and down easily, the insect is good for setting, 

 if not, proceed very carefully or relax still more. 



The forewing should be drawn up so high that its inne? 

 margin is at right angles to the body, the margins of the 

 two wings will thus form a straight line. The hind- 

 wings are drawn up sufficiently to have the costa well 

 covered by the inner margin of the forewing. If the 

 body moves sideways when drawing the wings up, a pin 

 should be put into the peat or pith alongside the body, 

 so as to prevent this. When the two wings are in posi- 

 tion, draw the strip of tracing-cloth tight and fix it with 

 another pin. Now proceed with the other pair of wings 

 in the same way, and when the whole is done, as shown 

 in the illustration, fix the broad strips over the wings 

 so that they are quite covered. This last strip is very 

 important, it keeps the dust from the wings, prevents 

 them from slipping back, and keeps the wings beautifully 

 flat, preventing the curling up of the tips, as usually 

 happens with relaxed specimens. The antennae can next 

 be arranged and held in place by means of a pin with a 

 little piece of paper attached to it; such a pin is also 

 useful if the body points upwards, and a small piece of 

 cotton-wool may hold the body up if it hangs down. 



