HOW TO COLLECT^ PRESERVE & STUDY INSECTS 239 



glim uiiderneatli. The gum will qiiickh- dry when not 

 too much moisture is used, thus holding the leg in place. 

 After all legs have been treated thus, allow the insect to 

 dry for about two weeks, then float the card with the 

 insects on the surface of a little water so that the gum 

 dissolves without relaxing or even touching the beetle 

 and the pinned insect can be drawn from the card, 

 while the legs remain in position. Beetles of about 4 mm. 

 or less are seldom pinned, as even the finest pins would 

 injure the insect too much. Such beetles are placed on 

 gummed cards and held in place with a stiff brush whilst 

 the legs are arranged. These are wetted again with the 

 point of another brush, as explained before, and the 

 beetle when drv is afterwards removed from the card in 



^>^s=^ 



Seconal miou-nf 

 for small be^iles 



the manner as indicated above. The specimen is then 

 mounted on a second mount consisting of either bristol 

 board or celluloid. The former mounts usually have a 

 pointed shape and the abdomen only is attached thereto 

 by gum, the legs projecting beyond the card; this facili- 

 tates the examination of legs. If more than one specimen 

 is mounted, one may be mounted upside down, to allow 

 easier examination of legs and mouth parts. In some 

 cases it may be necessary to mount one or two specimens 

 in flying positions; an ordinary setting board as used 

 for Lepidoptera will answer the purpose. 



For cleaning specimens before mounting, warm Avater 

 containing ammonia will be found servicable, while a 

 fine but stiff sable brush can under water remove dirt in 

 a mechanical manner. 



Ilu LI B R AR Yirc, 



