106 INSTRUCTIONS IN COLLECTING 



as follows : run a pin through the thorax, in the middle be- 

 tween the wings, then take a setting-board covered with 

 cork, not too thinly, if half an inch thick so much the better ; 

 run the pin into the cork until the breast of the bee nearly 

 touches it, then, with a needle or fine pair of forceps, arrange 

 the legs in a natural manner ; on each side of the bee, place 

 a table-brace on a level with the wings, the table-brace is to 

 be made of thick card-board, cut into an oblong form, a pin 

 being stuck through one end, so that the card stands in an 

 horizontal position, table-wise ; on these tables the wings 

 must be spread with care, each pair being united at their 

 edge by the minute hooks which secure them naturally; 

 having placed them in a natural, or we may say, flying posi- 

 tion, they are to be so secured by another pair of braces, 

 ■which must be securely pressed upon them. A little prac- 

 tice will soon overcome all difficulties: a collection well set, 

 in the manner pointed out (I hope intelligibly), is worth a 

 pilgrimage to look at. 



It will be found impossible sometimes, when visiting 

 localities for a few days, to set insects; in these cases I use 

 the laurel bottle to keep my specimens in after being killed ; 

 I usually prefer placing a few in different pill boxes, and 

 drop them into a wide-mouthed bottle, one-third filled with 

 bruised laurel ; if left in it for a few days they will set toler- 

 ably well ; but such specimens are apt to relax, particularly 

 in damp weather; when practicable, always collect in pill 

 boxes and kill with sulphur. 



If I have omitted anything which it would be desirable 

 to communicate, it is in the fear that I have already been 

 too prolix; I shall therefore conclude with a few words on 

 the supposed danger to which the Hymenopterist is exposed 

 from the stings of his favourites ; with a little practice in the 

 handling of Bees and Wasps, it is an easy matter to cap- 

 ture any of them without the least chance of being stung; 



