3G CATERPILLARS AND THEIR MOTHS 



dead an insect-pin should be thrust through the middle 

 of the thorax, and the moth should be pinned to a 

 cushion or box-edge to dry. The naphtha makes it 

 look wet and black or discolored, but it soon evapo- 

 rates, leaving the colors unchanged, and, we think, 

 keeping the specimens free from museum pests. 



When dry enough to be fluffy where the scales are 

 long, the moth should be pinned to a setting-board, 

 and the wings spread in a position which shows the 

 markings and held in place by strips of smooth paper 

 pinned across them. The antennae and legs must be 

 arranged, and the abdomen supported by a bit of 

 paper, cork, or card held fast by a pin. If the tongue 

 is to be shown it nmst be uncoiled and extended. A 

 pin will hold it out if the tip of the tongue is 

 allowed to coil around it. 



The setting-board is a strip of soft wood wide 

 enough to more than hold the outspread wings, and 

 having through the middle, lengthwise, a groove deep 

 and wide enough to hold the body of the moth. This 

 groove should have a thin strip of cork on the bottom 

 for the points of the insect-pins. It is evident that 

 boards of several sizes will be needed. 



Moths should be left to dry on the setting-board for 

 about two weeks, and then will be very brittle, need- 

 ing most careful handling to prevent legs and antennae 

 from breaking off. While the moths are drying it is 

 well to put the board into, a tin box or case of some kind 

 where they cannot be reached by any insect pest. If left 

 uncovered, clothes-moths and buffalo-beetles may lay 

 eggs on them, and even naphtha might not save them. 



If wanted for eggs the female moth must be mated. 



