Collecting and Rearing Insects 



659 



and collectors. These boxes may be bought of dealers in naturalists' sup- 



ullGS 



Butterflies, dragon-flics, and other larger and beautiful-winged insects 

 should be "spread," that is, should be allowed to dry with wings expanded. 

 To do this spreading-or setting-boards (Figs. 804 and 805) are necessar)-^ 



Such a board consists of two strips of wood 

 fastened a short distance apart so as to 

 leave between them a groove for the body 

 of the insect, and upon which the wings 

 are held in position until the insect is dry. 

 A narrow strip of pith or cork should be 

 fastened to the lower side of the two strips 

 of wood, closing the groove below. Into 

 this cork is thrust the pin on which the 

 insect is mounted. Another strip of wood 

 is fastened to the lower sides of the cleats 

 to which the two strips are nailed. This 

 serves as a bottom and protects the points 

 of the pins which project through the piece 

 of cork. The wings are held down, after 

 having been outspread with the hinder 



margins of the fore wings about at right angles to the body, by strips of paper 

 ^'""tftTeci-n^'Huch as insect larva., myriapods and spiders, should 



be preservec n bo ties of alcohol (85 per cent.). ^P-'"-- .^^ hou 

 DC presci^cu ,i:,:,,n fit for future dissectmg shouUl 



to remain for a minute or two unttl thoroughl st ttene 



to 50 per cent, alcohol for six hours, and tmally to 85 per cent. 



