44 THE BUTTERFLIES OF THE WEST COAST 



stance for this purpose, and the pith of yucca stems is the only 

 substitute worth mentioning. Provide plenty of setting-boards, 

 some with wide channels, for thick-bodied insects, and others with 

 narrow channels, for thin-bodied ones. 



Entomological pins for butterflies are made in two lengths, and 

 in seven numbers, as to thickness. The short pin is best for all 

 except the largest specimens, and numbers two and three are suit- 

 able for by far the majority of specimens. Follow some well-con- 

 sidered plan ; and use always the same sized pins for the same but- 

 terflies. In pinning specimens, let the pins be all the same height 

 above the body of the butterfly, say, about one-half of an inch, or 

 a little less. 



Having placed the pinned butterfly upon the setting-board, 

 with the bodies carefully placed at the proper height, so that the 

 wings will not bend over the edge of the board, nor be bent down 

 by the paper that is placed upon them to hold them down, place 

 narrow strips of tough and thick paper over the wings and close 

 up to the body ; and then arrange the wings as they are to remain. 

 Hold the strips of paper down with pins, for which use the large- 

 headed steel pins are much the best. Push the wings forward 

 evenly, one just as far as its mate. Taste and skill find opportu- 

 nity to get in their work at this stage. Only one rule is worth 

 mentioning, and that is, to place the fore wings so that the hind 

 edges are on a straight line across ; but there are many exceptions 

 to that one rule, as the shape of the wings differ, so that it is not 

 always proper to so place them. Then place strips of window 

 glass over the wings, to hold them down even and smooth ; the 

 glass allows you to see at all times if the wings have become dis- 

 lodged, or moved, in which case, they can be altered or re-ar- 

 ranged while the specimen is fresh and soft. In this way a dozen 

 specimens can be arranged upon one setting-board. 



Next, is the most important item of work to be done, to write 

 down the date, and the locality, on a small label or ticket, in small 

 letters, and lay the label alongside the specimens. The insect will 

 be dry in from one to three weeks, according to the weather, and 

 the size of the insect. When dry, it should be removed from the 

 setting-board, the ticket put upon the pin, and thereafter there is 

 no adequate reason for ever removing it from the pin, and the 

 ticket and the pin should never be separated. Do not remove the 

 insect from the board too soon; if you do, the wings will droop. 



