170 SCHOOL ENTOMOLOGY 



numbers pinned on each specimen, these numbers refer- 

 ring to similar numbers in the notebook under which all the 

 data are recorded. For reared specimens this is the only 

 way to keep full accounts of the life histories of the specimen. 

 Card note systems are much more convenient than the 

 older notebooks, but the collector will make his own 

 choice in this. 



108. Spreading Board. Moths and butterflies must be 

 spread on a spreading board which is another requisite 



for the outfit. The spread- 

 ing board consists essen- 

 tially of two smooth pieces 

 of board, which must be of 

 some softwood, wide enough 

 to accommodate the wings 



of the specimens, placed 

 FIG. 122. Spreading Board Show- .,, , , 



,, . TM . j.1. o with a groove between 



ing Manner of Placing the Spec- 

 imen for Drying. them for the body of the 



insect. Below this groove 



must be some soft material for the pin to stick in and 

 support the insect. The boards must be arranged so 

 that the insect's wings will slant- upward from the body 

 very slightly. These parts are mounted so that they 

 will be firm. The figure accompanying the description 

 will suggest the details of construction. 



Insects placed on the spreading board should be pinned 

 so that the bases of the wings are at exactly the same 

 height as the edges of the boards. The front wings are 

 laid flat on the board and pinned with their hind margins 

 at right angles to the body, and the hind wings are then 

 drawn forward so that their front margins are concealed 

 beneath the front wings. Next a strip of blotting paper or 

 other material is pinned over the wings, care being taken 



