INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 17 
end of a slip of card neatly brought up to the side of 
the insect as it stands on the setting-board. As the 
water evaporates, the wing will retain its form on the 
card, and this will drop off, when quite dry, by its 
own weight. Folded wings which have resisted all 
other remedies often yield to this. 
The specimens, especially those of the larger in- 
sects, require a good deal of subsequent care. They 
are liable to turn greasy and soil the paper on which 
they are mounted; they are the prey of little mites 
as well as of larger insects; and if they are kept in 
the sun they are liable to fade. But wasps are 
plentiful, and we need not grudge a little trouble in 
setting a few specimens more or less, when it adds 
so much to the beauty of the cabinet to have each 
nest ornamented by its own wasps. 
- The knowledge of insects which is limited to the 
external appearances of dried specimens, is literally 
only superficial. We must take their outer case to 
pieces, and look inside it, and examine its disarticu- 
lated fragments, if we wish to study the natural 
history to any useful purpose. Insect anatomy is 
capital practice,* but it is a study of much difficulty, 
requiring great patience; and, as we may calculate 
on spoiling many specimens, it is of importance to 
secure a supply of the largest wasps, and in the 
freshest and healthiest condition possible. The per- 
fect females which are found in the spring seem to 
answer best. Having contracted with little boys to 
furnish these alive and unhurt in any required quan- 
* See Cuvier’s opinion on this point, as told by Audouin, in ‘ Kirby 
and Spence’s Introduction to Entomology,’ 7th edition, pp. 12, 138 
note. 
C 
