[ 3 ] 



of the wings keeping them in place. It has even been 

 suggested that a curvature from back to front in addition to 

 that from side to side would be peculiarly elegant, and collec- 

 tors have been advised to make setting-boards out of portions 

 cut from a sphere. 



Apart from the relative advantages and disadvantages offered 

 by these methods, the fact of the difference is much to be 

 regretted. One of the most serious difficulties which have 

 been brought about is the want of uniformity in the depth 

 of the drawers of British and continental cabinets ; and here, 

 too, the want of a standard has produced inconvenient results 

 within the limits of this country — the British cabinets varying 

 from an effective depth from glass to paper of ijr inches 

 to one of iJtt inches, as against a depth of li inches 

 in the continental drawers. This is, of course, excessively 

 inconvenient when any large exchange of specimens takes 

 place. In fact, it is not too much to say that the uniformity of 

 the continental method would render its adoption expedient even 

 if it were less suitable in other respects. But a careful com- 

 parison of all the various points will show that in almost all 

 points it is superior to the English method. I will take the 

 various points separately. 



Choice of Pin. — The largest English pin (No. i6 or No. ii, 

 with a length of i| inches) is stiffer and more convenient than 

 the continental article, and is sutificiently long to permit the 

 advantages mentioned in the paragraph below. All insects, 

 large and small, should be mounted so that they are at an 

 equal distance from the glass. 



Height of Insect on the Pin. — The immense advantages of 

 a high position have been already mentioned : furthermore, 

 it may be added that it is of advantage to bring the insect 

 near to the glass, so that it can be examined with a lens 

 without removing the cover. The high position also enables 

 the observer to read two or three labels placed at different 

 heights on the pin below the insect without disturbing them 

 or the insect, and even without removing the cover of the 



