PRESERVING AND STUDYING INSECTS 



349 



consist of very fine pieces of steel wire, and may be run through 

 narrow strips of cork, pieces of paper, or small squares of cork, as 

 shown in Fig. 486, b, d, and e. Elbow pins (Fig. 486, c] present 

 a neater appearance than the micro-pins, and may be obtained of 

 entomological supply companies. 



& c </ e 



FIG. 486. Method of mounting insects on points 



a, with a cardboard point ; &, micro-pin in cork ; c, elbow pin ; d, micro-pin in paper ; 

 e, micro-pin in side ; f, double point. (After Banks) 



Most small Hemiptera and Coleoptera (Fig. 487) are mounted 

 on small, triangular points cut from light Bristol board. Punches 

 (Fig. 485) may be secured to cut these points accurately. 



In mounting, the point is first placed on the pin at the required 

 height. The end of the point is next dipped in gum shellac dis- 

 solved in alcohol and then touched to the ventral side of the insect. 

 The insect will adhere to the point, and 

 should be arranged in position with fine 

 needles and forceps. The insect is mounted 

 so that when the point is directed to the 

 left, the head of the insect is away from 

 the person. For insects having long bodies 

 a double point should be used, as shown 

 in Fig. 486,7. 



Whether micro-pins or points are used, 

 care should be taken not to obscure more 

 of the insect than is absolutely necessary. 



Labeling. All specimens should be labeled as soon as possible 

 after pinning. The label should consist of the name of the town 

 and state, on the first line, and the date of collecting, on the 



FIG. 487. Method of glu- 

 ing beetle on paper point 



(After Banks) 



