6 Practical Zoology. 



most specimens (No. 4, Klager), though, if an extensive collection 

 is to be made, there should be an assortment of pins. 



Labeling. The name of the insect, with date and locality, 

 should be on a small label, on the pin about halfway between 

 the insect and the bottom of the box. The name of the order 

 or family should be at the beginning of the group, whether this 

 occupies a whole box or less. 



Boxes. For ordinary small collections, the common cigar boxes 

 are very convenient. Pupils can usually get them for nothing. 

 The bottom should be lined with sheet cork, or thin slices of 

 common corks can be fastened in at the place where the insects 

 are to be pinned. It is best to devote a box to each order of in- 

 sects, or even to families where many insects are collected. The 

 boxes should be labeled on the outside near one end, so that they 

 may be set on end on a shelf, and the label will show like the 

 title on the back of a book. A set of shelves should be made 

 of the right hight to accommodate the boxes as thus set on end. 



Spreading Insects. Beetles, bugs, flies, etc., are usually mounted 

 with the wings folded. But the wings of moths, butterflies, dragon 

 flies, etc., should be spread. And it is well to mount some locusts, 

 beetles, bugs, etc., with the wings spread, for the sake of com- 

 parison. 



Spreading Boards. For spreading the wings of insects, a 

 spreading board or setting board is used. This consists of two 

 strips of soft board, fastened to a base, with a groove between 

 them for the body of the insect, while the wings rest on the two 

 side strips. At the bottom of the groove there should be a strip 

 of cork to receive the pin. Place the insect in the groove, pinned 

 firmly to the cork. Then insert a pin into the wing, back of the 

 large veins, near the anterior border, and draw the wings forward 

 until the hinder borders of the two hind wings are in a straight 

 line. First fasten the wings in this position with narrow strips of 

 paper held by pins. Then place a larger piece of paper over the 

 wings and pin firmly. Sometimes strips of mica are used instead 



