THE INSECT COLLECTION 171 



to see that no pin goes through the wing tissue. The 

 original temporary pins are taken from the wings and the 

 specimen is allowed to dry for several days. When thor- 

 oughly dry the wings will remain in position. Specimens 

 must be spread before they dry out and the wings "set." 

 Otherwise they must be relaxed and this is never a satisfac- 

 tory operation. Grasshoppers and other insects are some- 

 times placed on the spreader and have only the wings on 

 one. side spread, but generally the only insects spread are 

 the Lepidoptera and some Neuropterous forms. 



109. Breeding-cage. Life-history collections are of the 

 greatest value and students should be encouraged to get 

 all stages of as many insects as possible. This is some- 

 tunes easiest done by getting eggs or larvae and keeping 

 them in breeding cages while they undergo their trans- 

 formations. Many things may serve as such breeding 

 cages. The qualities required are some ventilation and 

 proper moisture and temperature , as well as regular feed- 

 ing. A simple breeding-cage for small insects is a lan- 

 tern globe set on a flowerpot filled with soil and having 

 a piece of cheesecloth tied over the top. Food may be 

 given day by day or may be furnished by plants grown 

 in the pot. 



Larger cases may be made specially. A very satis- 

 factory one is figured. It is merely a box made to fit a 

 window. The outer side is enclosed with wire screen, 

 while the doors are of glass. There may be two or more 

 compartments in such a cage. It is better to have gal- 

 vanized iron pans made to fit the bottom. These may 

 be filled with sand or soil or they may contain water. 

 In the latter case the breeding-cage makes an excellent 

 aquarium for aquatic forms. Local conditions will gov- 

 ern the form of breeding-cage most used. The main 



