54-6 ENTOMOLOGICAL INSTRUMENTS, &C. 
Having impaled your insects, the next thing to be 
done is to set them. The best time for doing this is not 
till they have begun to stiffen, but before they are become 
quite stiff. If attempted soon after they are killed, the 
parts, unless you keep them in the intended position by 
means of pins or braces, will not retain it ; and if after 
they are become too stiff, they are liable to be broken. 
Not only should the antennae and palpi be extended so 
as to be readily seen ; but the legs, and often the wings, 
ought to be placed in their natural position ; all of which 
tends much to the beauty of your specimens, and adapts 
them for more ready examination. But as this operation 
requires time, and beauty and regularity may be pur- 
chased too dear if at the price of hours called for by 
science, you may be left to your own discretion in this 
business, only you should always with a pin expand the 
antennae and palpi if possible. You might, however, 
both save your time and have your insects neatly set, if 
you would take the trouble to instruct some acute and 
handy youth in your neighbourhood in the modus ope- 
randi, and devolve this department upon him : and as 
none are quicker and more expert in capturing insects 
than boys, he might also assist you in your hunting ex- 
peditions. 
I do not mean, however, to leave you at liberty with 
regard to the setting of Lepidopterons insects, which not 
only have a much worse appearance than those of other 
Orders if their wings be not regularly and uniformly 
expanded, but requite it for the proper display of their 
characters. The necessary apparatus consists of a piece 
of cork about nine inches long, four broad, and half an 
inch thick, which should be made perfectly smooth, with 
