54-6 ENTOMOLOGICAL INSTRUMENTS, &C. 



Having impaled your insects, the next thing to be 

 done is to set them. The best time for doing this is not 

 till they have begun to stiffen, but before they are become 

 quite stiff. If attempted soon after they are killed, the 

 parts, unless you keep them in the intended position by 

 means of pins or braces, will not retain it ; and if after 

 they are become too stiff, they are liable to be broken. 

 Not only should the antennae and palpi be extended so 

 as to be readily seen ; but the legs, and often the wings, 

 ought to be placed in their natural position ; all of which 

 tends much to the beauty of your specimens, and adapts 

 them for more ready examination. But as this operation 

 requires time, and beauty and regularity maybe pur- 

 chased too dear if at the price of hours called for by 

 science, you may be left to your own discretion in this 

 business, only you should always with a pin expand the 

 antennae and palpi if possible. You might, however, 

 both save your time and have your insects neatly set, if 

 you would take the trouble to instruct some acute and 

 handy youth in your neighbourhood in the modus ope- 

 randi, and devolve this department upon him : and as 

 none are quicker and more expert in capturing insects 

 than boys, he might also assist you in your hunting ex- 

 peditions. 



I do not mean, however, to leave you at liberty with 

 regard to the setting of Lepidopterous insects, which not 

 only have a much worse appearance than those of other 

 Orders if their wings be not regularly and uniformly 

 expanded, but require it for the proper display of their 

 characters. The necessary apparatus consists of a piece 

 of cork about nine inches long, four broad, and half an 

 inch thick, which should be made perfectly smooth, with 



