COLLECTIOK OF INSECTS FOR STUDY, 



11 



SPREADING INSECTS. 



Insects should be prepared and niomited as soon as possible after 

 they are collected, for if they are left for any length of time the wings 

 and legs will become stiff and easily broken, and it will be impossible 

 to spread the wings as Avill often be desirable in order to give the 

 specimen a lifelike and attractive appearance. If it shoidd be im- 

 possible to moinit the specimens until they have become rigid, they 

 can be relaxed by placing them for a time on a piece of paper in a 

 box partly filled vnih moist sand. It will be well to put a few drops 

 of carbolic acid on the sand in order to prevent molding. After being 

 left in this way for a few days the insects will generally be sufficiently 

 relaxed to make it possible to mount them Avithout great difficulty. 



Fig. 10.— Spreading Iwanls. 



Butterflies and moths, dragon flies, and similar insects should have 

 their \\dngs spread out at right angles to the body. This is done l:>y 

 the use of a spreading board such as u shown in figure 10. Two 

 strips of some soft wood, such as linden, white pme, or white wood, 

 are fastened on low cleats resting on a bottom board. A strip of 

 cork is fastened to the underside of the strips to cover the groove 

 between them. The pin is pushed through the cork until the body 

 of the msect rests upon it, and the wings are then stretched out on the 

 boards by pullmg them forward with a pin inserted near the front 

 margin. They should be pulled out far enough so that the hind 

 margin of the front wings \\all form a straight line. Then the Avings 

 should be held in place by strips of paper pmned down tightly at 

 each end. The specimen shoidd remain on the sjireading board for 

 at least a week, so that when removed the Avangs A\dll stay spread and 

 not relax to the normal condition. Tare should be taken in placing 



