CATCHING BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS 75 



Gum and glue are not very satisfactory as fixing agents, for, as 

 you will presently learn, there are times when it will be necessary 

 to keep the box moist, and moisture softens both these substances. 

 The cork must be fixed by means of little strips of metal. Here 

 are two ways of doing this : 



First. Cut a few little strips of sheet tin, each about two inches 

 long and one-eighth wide. Double and bend them as shown in 

 fig. 46, and solder them to the surfaces which the cork is to 

 cover (fig. 47)". As the cork is pushed in its place, these little 

 slips are allowed to force themselves through slits in it made by 

 means of a penknife, and then the ends are bent over as shown in 

 fig. 48. Two or three such fasteners will be quite sufficient to hold 

 down each sheet of cork. 



Second. Put the sheets of cork in their places first, then 

 make a few little slits through both metal and cork with the 



FIG. 46. FIG. 47. 



FIG. 48. FIG. 49. 



point of a penknife, and then bind the two together -with a 

 few ordinary paper fasteners. This arrangement is shown in 

 section in fig. 49. 



Just one point more concerning the metal collecting box. You 

 will often call moisture to your aid in keeping the butterflies 

 flexible and soft. This will have but little action on zinc, but will 

 sooner or later cause the ' tin ' (really tinned iron) box to rust. 

 Here, then, is a point in favour of zinc, but still a home-made ' tin ' 

 collector will last a long time if kept dry when not in use. 



As already hinted, there are times when it is desirable to take 

 home certain butterflies alive, either for a study of their movements 

 or for the purpose of securing eggs for breeding. To this end you 

 must provide yourself either with a number of ' chip boxes ' with a 

 few small holes pricked in the cover, or with some metal boxes 

 with perforations for the admission of air. If the latter, you will 



