126 WORK AT HOME AND IN THE FIELD 



pressure of the setting needle or by blowing on them. If not 

 sufficiently supple, give another day in the damp cell, but never 

 allow them to be forgotten till they are covered with mildew. 



The time occupied in thoroughly drying butterflies and moths 

 will vary considerably according to their sizes and the condition of 

 the atmosphere. In hot and dry summer weather four or five days 

 will prove quite sufficient for the very small and thin-bodied species. 

 From one to two weeks, however, may be looked upon as the 

 average period ; but the large and thick-bodied moths may require 

 more than this. 



Perhaps the best test of their condition is the gentle pressing of 

 the setting needle against the abdomen the last part of the body 

 to become dry and stiff. If the abdomen seems quite firm and 

 rigid, you are pretty safe in removing the specimen from the 

 board; but if it bends at all under a slight pressure of the needle 

 let it remain for a day or two longer. 



If your cabinet is quite ready for the reception of new-comers, 

 the insects may be put in their proper places immediately after 

 their removal from the setting boards; but if not, they may 

 be pinned temporarily in a ' store box ' till the time comes when 

 you have proper accommodation provided. The full consideration 

 of these matters will be dealt with in another chapter. 



It is possible that the setting of some of your specimens will not 

 exactly please you. If such is the case, put them in a relaxing box 

 for a day or two, and then reset them more to your fancy. 



We have now to deal with a matter that applies more 

 particularly to moths, especially the very large and thick-bodied 

 species. The abdomens of these become more or less contracted 

 and shrivelled on drying, sometimes to such an extent as to look 

 most unsightly. 



There is a remedy for this, and the time and patience required 

 in working it out will be well repaid by the superior results 

 obtained. 



While the abdomen is still in a soft condition, make a slit 

 throughout its length with a very sharp knife or a sharp-pointed 

 pair of scissors. This slit should be made down the centre of the 

 under surface, or, if the insect is to be placed in the cabinet with 

 the under side exposed, down the middle line of the back. Then 

 remove all the contents of the abdomen, scraping them out with a 

 piece of hooked wire, or removing them with a fine pair of forceps, 

 and leaving the skin as clean as possible both within and without. 



