304 



INSECT LIFE. 



pin upon which the insect is pinned. Another strip 

 of wood is fastened to the lower side of the cleats to 



which the two strips are nailed. 



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! ! 1 1 his serves as a bottom, and 



protects the points of the pins 

 which project through the piece 

 of cork. 



In spreading a specimen a 

 narrow piece of paper is used 

 on each side to hold the wings 

 in place till they are properly 

 arranged (Fig. 272, a). The 

 wings are moved into position 

 by slipping them forward or 

 backward under the slips of 

 paper, using for this purpose a 

 fine pin, which is inserted near 

 a strong vein of the wing. 

 When the wings are properly 

 arranged their entire surface is 

 covered with wider strips of 

 paper (Fig. 272, b). The speci- 

 mens are left on the boards till 

 they are dry. This usually 

 requires two or three days, 

 moths should be left on the 



Fig. 272. — A spreading board. 



Large, stout-bodied 

 boards longer. 



For pinning the sheets of paper over the wings 

 the sharp-pointed " mourning pins " are much better 

 than the ordinary brass pins, and thin sheets of mica 

 are often used instead of sheets of paper. 



A device which may be known as a spreading 

 pin is more convenient than the narrow strip of paper 



