LEPIDOPTERA. 35 



coming into play when the net is fixed, the upper part of the 

 screw which holds the frame to the handle is welded square^md 

 fits a corresponding square socket in the other end of the wire 

 frame, holding all tight when screwed down. A small green 

 silk or other net can be slipped on or off this frame as required. 



" An umbrella net with stout steel rim and canvas edging is 

 useful for sweeping tall grass and herbage, or to beat branches 

 into, by which means many small and beautiful species of re- 

 tired habits may be obtained. 



" I use pill-boxes with glass bottoms, which can be obtained 

 of various sizes. They are convenient in admitting of the ex- 

 amination of each specimen, so rare species can be especially 

 searched for, and damaged ones permitted to escape ; but they 

 are expensive and for ordinary purposes card-board boxes an- 

 swer sufficiently well. It is a good plan at the beginning of a 

 season to strengthen all your boxes by a crossed strap of tape 

 or calico firmly glued at the top and bottom. For a killing box 

 any tin box or canister with a closely fitting lid, capable of 

 containing one hundred pill-boxes will be found to answer. 



"Setting-boards can be bought ready made of the smallest 

 sizes. They are made by gluing a strip of thick cork on a thin 

 slip of deal ; the cork must'be thick enough to enable a groove 

 to be cut into it, deep enough to hold the bodies of the insects 

 to be set, and to leave sufficient depth for the pin to hold firmly 

 without reaching the deal. The cork on each side of the groove 

 should be smoothed off with a gentle curve, so that the wings 

 dry in a good position. The deal backing projects beyond the 

 cork so as to slide into a groove if required, and it is conve- 

 nient to have a deal cupboard of drying boxes with handle at 

 top and perforated zinc door, having grooves on each side into 

 which the setting boards can be slid. Each board should be 

 papered with thin white paper. 



"At the beginning of a season setting-boards may be washed 

 or brushed over with advantage with a weak solution of oxide 

 of zinc ; it fills up old pinholes and makes them look clean. 



" For Tortricina use No. 10 pins ; for Tineina (small), No. 

 19 ; for Nepticulce, No. 20. 



"Always set your insects as soon as you kill them, they are 

 then much more easy to set and retain their position better 

 when dry. 



