Capture and Preservation of Butterflies 



what you like with the body without touching it with 

 your fingers ; lastly, replace each body, sticking it in 

 position with a dab of entomological gum, to be 

 had from Messrs. Watkins and Doncaster, 36, 

 Strand, W.C. 



Supposing you have arrived home with a few 

 butterflies, and wish to set them. This is best done 

 as soon as possible after they are killed. They may 

 remain unset a few days if kept damp and yet properly 

 aired ; you must prevent them from hardening on the 

 one hand, and getting mouldy on the other, through 

 too long and close keeping ; so have a watchful eye on 

 them until set. 



Setting-boards can be either bought or made. This 

 is a question for each worker to determine for himself. 

 Some collectors may have special facilities for making 

 them, while others may have a profusion of pocket 

 money wherewith to buy them. When I was a boy I 

 made my own. It was a work of necessity. As a lad 

 I had always so many specimens to set in summer-time 

 that it would have been sheer ruination to have bought 

 all the boards required. 



On Plate II. you have an illustration of a setting- 

 board, and the photograph is in itself an indication of 

 how butterflies are to be set before being placed in the 

 permanent collection. Note the setting-bristle mounted 

 in a cube of cork. This is used to hold the wing in 

 position while the card braces are being placed. The 

 collector can easily mount a bristle for himself. A cat, 

 badger, or other whisker will serve ; do not try to push 

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