COLLECTING AND PRESERVING INSECTS — BANKS. 



59 



One should have several boards with different width of space, so 

 as to admit insects of different sizes. The space should be just a 

 little wider than the body of the insect. The wings should be care- 

 fully pulled forward and held down by a pin or spreading needle (fig. 

 106), and then covered with paper strips with a stout pin at each end 

 (fig. 105). The specimens should be as uniform as possible, and 

 the rule is that the hind borders of the front wings should form a 

 straight line. This, however, is sometimes a trifle too much. Care 



Fig. 104.— A spreading board. 



should be taken that in pulling the wing forward one does not injure 

 it. The pin or needle should be inserted just behind a strong vein 

 near the base of the wing. Some utilize a spreading pin, which is 

 made by twisting with the pliers a beheaded insect pin tightly around 

 and near the point of a large mourning pin and forming a right angle 

 to it. One can insert the mourning pin in the board behind the 

 wings and the insect pin will hold the wings flat. The antennas 

 should be extended at or near the front margin of the wing, and the 



abdomen raised and supported, if nec- 

 essary, by two pins placed crosswise 

 beneath it. 



After one board is rilled it should be 

 put away in a box or case where it will 

 be safe from dust until the specimens 

 are thoroughly dry, when they may be 

 removed and placed in the cabinet. A 

 little naphthalene should be sprinkled 

 fig. io5.-a spreading board for lepi- [ n tlio drying box to prevent the in- 

 cursion of Anthrenus. Some make an 

 elaborate drying cage (fig. 108), with sides of fine wire screening and 

 shelves or racks to hold the boards. If the insects are removed 

 before they are thoroughly dry the wings will later spring back and 

 droop down. Some entomologists bake the spread specimens, 

 putting them in a slow oven for an hour or so, watching them care- 

 fully so they will not scorch. This enables one to dry them much 

 more rapidly and thus handle a larger amount of material in a 

 short time. Opinions differ as to the value of baked as contrasted 

 with naturally dried specimens, and it is likely that climatic con- 

 ditions have some effect. 



