PRESERVATION OF INSECTS, 577 



pin, a fine slender sort, manufactured on purpose*. 

 Beetles oug-ht to have the pins passed through the 

 shoulder of the right wing-case, and butterflies and 

 other insects through the corslet, on a right line with 

 the head, and a little back from it. While the insect 

 is fresh and flexible, the legs and wings are to be 

 stretched out with a setting-needle, or a large pin 

 bent at the point and fixed into a wooden handle, 

 then stuck upon a board covered with cork and 

 paper, and kept in their proper position by means of 

 pins and braces till they become dry and stiff. The 

 braces are made with slips of fine card, or thick hot- 

 pressed paper, stuck through at one end with a 

 strong pin. When insects have become stiff before 

 being set, tl^ey may be rendered flexible again by 

 covering them over for several hours with a damp 

 cloth, which, however, must not be permitted to touch 

 them. A camel-hair pencil is used for brushing off 

 dust. The mode of setting will be best understood 

 fi:om the figures. 



When insects are very small, as piercing them 

 with a pin would destroy them, it is usual to gum 

 them on a slip of card or cut wafer, and to arrange 

 this in the cabinet. Minute beetles and flies may 

 thus be preserved, as is shown in the figures. 



Method of mounting small insects. 



The setting-board ought to be kept where there is a 



* To be had of Hales, Great Dover-street, Southwark ; and 

 of Duraford and Co,, Gracechurch-slreet, London. 



