xlviii European Dutterfltf.^ a.vd Moths. 



ordinary setting-boards. It is better to set these on a very smooth sheet of cork (elder pith 

 is often used on the Continent instead), in which very small grooves have been scored to receive 

 the bodies. 



Setting is usually effected on sloping boards by means of braces, which may be constructed 



either of cardboard or paper. In the former case the cardboard must be cut into long, narrow, 



pointed strips, through the thick end of which a pin is driven. Then, having selected a board 



proportioned to the size of the subject, we pin the insect exactly in the middle of the groove, 



keeping its body quite straight, and bringing its wings into such a position that when expanded 



they will rest upon the cork sides of the setting-board. The wings are then to be brought into 



such a position on each side that a straight line drawn from tip to tip would pass just in front 



of the head of tlie specimen, and the card braces are then to be pinned down over the wings 



with sufficient firmness to keep them in their places, but not so tightly as to damage them. The 



wings may be drawn into their places with a very fine needle pressed against the costa ; but 



great care must be taken not to pierce or tear the wing. It often happens that several braces on 



each side are required to keep the wings in position, though it can sometimes be managed with one 



long one only. The position of the hind-wings must not be neglected, and they should be placed 



as nearly as possible in a natural position, with the inner margin of the fore-wings lapping over 



the costa of the hind-wings. This rule will not apply, however, to JMicro-Lcpidoptem with very 



narrow hind-wings, whicli sometimes stand off at an angle from the fore -wings, and should be set 



in that position. Stiff paper braces may be used for setting small and delicate insects, for which 



cardboard would be too coarse ; and in the case of large insects, strips of paper pinned down at 



both ends will be found nearly as convenient and efficacious as cardboard braces. Some collectors 



set their insects by twisting thread over the wings, round and round the ends of the setting-boards; 



but this method requires much practice to manage it successfully, and is more likely to damage 



the specimens in unskilful hands than the ordinary method. When flat setting-boards are used, 



braces and threads may be dispensed with, and the wings may be kept in position by the weight 



of bits of thin glass laid over them. The width of the setting-board must in all cases exceed that 



of the expanded wings of the insects set upon it ; but there is no harm in setting a small insect on 



a large board, especially if the body is large in proportion to the wings. Whenever possible, each 



insect should be set on a board the groove of which is proportioned to the size of its body, for no 



insect can be properly set unless the groove is large enough to receive its whole body easily ; and, 



on the other hand, it is very awkward to set a slender-bodied insect on a setting-board the groove 



of which is much too wide for it. If the antenns or abdomen be not in a symmetrical position 



when the insect is set, a couple of slender pins must be crossed over each to secure them. The 



insects must be left on the setting-boards till they are thoroughly dry and the wings are firmly 



fixed in their position. For greater security, some collectors touch the roots of the wings beneath 



with liquid glue when they remove them from the setting-boards. If any signs of mites, Psocidce, 



or other parasites show themselves on the boards, which will sometimes happen, the boards must 



be washed over with some preparation to destroy the intruders. To diminish the risk of their 



presence, it is necessary to keep the boards scrupulously clean, and not to allow any broken 



fragments of legs, &c., to remain upon them, and, above all, not to allow a forgotten or worthless 



specimen to remain on the boards after the others have been removed. The setting-house must be 



kept in a dry place where it will be safe from the visits of mice, cockroaches, or ants, and where 



it will not be exposed to dust. When the house is infested with ants, the setting-house should 



either be suspended by a cord, or put on a stand of some kind, the legs of which are placed in 



cups of water. 



