Io6 PSYCHE [October 



BLACK BACKGROUNDS FOR BUTTERFLIES. 



BY W. L. W. FIELD, MILTON, MASS. 



It is the common practice of entomologists to arrange collections of insects in 

 boxes lined with white paper. Against such a background the darker specimens 

 stand out in sharp relief, and the effect is certainly pleasing. With no expectation 

 of bringing about the general abandonment of this practice, but merely with a view 

 to introducing a useful alternative, I submit these notes on the advantages attend- 

 ing the use of black backgrounds. 



Specimens of lepidoptera exposed to strong light are almost sure to fade, and 

 every entomologist will recall museum collections in which many of the species are 

 quite misrepresented by the bleached examples on view. I think it is generally 

 recognized that the white paper behind the specimens, acting as a reflector, materi- 

 ally hastens the fading process. Indeed it has been found that lepidoptera dis- 

 played in any of the various patent mounts in which the wings are closely applied 

 to a white surface keep their colors appreciably longer than those elevated on pins 

 above the bottom of a white-lined case. In the patent mounts the reflector is 

 smothered so far as its action on the specimens is concerned. 



The reflection from white backgrounds is fatiguing to the eyes of anyone who 

 has occasion to examine closely a long series of specimens. This is a more serious 

 difficulty, since it renders unnecessarily wearisome the study of any collection kept 

 in white-lined drawers or boxes. The use of tints interferes with the correct 

 analysis of the colors of the specimens. If white is to be abandoned, the obvious 

 substitute is black. 



For black backgrounds I have used a good quality of coated paper, which may 

 be bought from dealers in school supplies in sheets measuring 24X20 inches. 

 The price is four cents per sheet. This paper has a slight gloss, but the objections 

 to this are offset by the hard, smooth quality of the surface. It may not prove to 

 be very durable, for coated papers are apt to be disappointing in this respect. A 

 more expensive paper might be found which would give longer service. 



Specimens displayed against the black background look well, the white and 

 yellow butterflies in particular making a fine appearance. Dark species are not 

 unduly obscured. There is no fatiguing glare, and the risk of damage to valuable 

 specimens through exposure to light is considerably diminished. 



