THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



Vol. XXL] JULY, 1888. [No. 302. 



HIGH FLAT-SKTTTNG OF LEPIDOPTERA. 

 By Arthur Cant. 



As I have had considerable prp--"tical experience in both the 

 continental and British methods of setting Lepidoptera, and 

 am known to have a decided preference for the former, I have 

 been asked by several entomological friends to point out what I 

 consider to be the advantages of the " high-flat-set " system. 



From an individual point of view, I could enumerate many 

 more or less important advant^^ios resulting from having 

 Lepidoptera set in the continental otyle, but I think, for present 

 purposes, reference to three of th eo will suffice : — 



(1) Facility of examination and study. All lepidopterological 

 students will admit that even the upper surface of a butterfly or 

 moth with drooping wings is not so readily examined as one 

 whose wings are spread out flat in <■ ,Mane with the body. Li the 

 majority of cases, tho under surfaces of insects set in the British 

 style are not easily examined or compared one with another ; 

 but, on the other hand, when dealing with flat-set insects, there 

 is nothing to interfere with the most complete examination, as 

 we have then under observation a flat surface instead of a 

 concave one, consequently there is no distortion. 



(2) Preservation of specimens. Insects set high on the pins 

 are safe from the attacks of mites.* If an infected specimen is 

 introduced by chance into the box or cabinet drawer there is no 



* This fact has received recognition at the liaiids of Drilish euluuiologists 

 although they still use the sloping setting-board. 



ENTOM. — JULY, 1888. Q 



