APHOEISMATA ENTOJIOLOGICA. 13 



twisted, but singly, so to speak, you will probably have some kind 

 female friend, some "neat-handed Phyllis," who will unravel the diffi- 

 culty for you, and accomplish the work to your entire satisfaction. This 

 I speak of the Moravian thread, but if you cannot have any wound 

 singly, "French Embroidery Cotton," if equally fine, will be found equally 

 excellent for the purpose. 



Next, then, having fixed the pin which holds the insect — always, 

 "Be it remembered,"' carefully and completely killed in the first instance 

 of all — straight in the cork in the groove, into which the body is just 

 allowed to enter, holding the end of the cotton thread at the lower 

 side, the one next you, of the wood, with your left hand, wind it once 

 round the right hind wings of the insect; then, holding the thread 

 round the lower part of the upper end of the wood, and also with 

 the left hand, just, and only just, sufiiciently tight to keep the wings 

 in place, adjust the wings with the point of a large common thick 

 pin, held in your right hand, to the desired extent, and then "lightly 

 t(h)read" a sufficient number of times round in the same way, so as 

 to keep all parts of the wings close to the shape of the wood; then, 

 but not till then, completing, namely, first the right hand side — 

 for otherwise if the threads be crossed and re-crossed there will be 

 great danger, in taking them off, of breaking the antennas, or in some 

 way damaging the specimen — perform the same operation over the left 

 hind wings. 



Be, I say, very careful in again unwinding the thread, or woe betide 

 the antennaj of your specimen, and with them will go its especial value 

 in the eyes of the collector. The best way, however, is to '^cut the 

 Gordian knot," namely, cut the threads with a penknife against one 

 side of the wood, or, better still, against both sides, and then the fly 

 is at once taken off without further trouble. The whole spool of cotton 

 costing only two or three pence, the time that would be required for 

 saving the thread is gained, and amply repays the cost of a new one; 

 and indeed even if the different short threads were to be pi'eserved, 

 you would find that they cannot well be kept without becoming entangled 

 together. 



"another mode." 



The turned pieces of wood answer most admirably when you are 

 quietly stationed at home, or fixed for a time sufficient in any other 



