BUTTERFLIES OF MONTANA. 9 



wet two more sheets and place over these. Do this as often as there are 

 insects to be covered. Let them remain here two or three days, at the 

 end of which time they can be spread as easily as when fresh. Care must 

 be taken not to leave the specimens here too long lest they became 

 mouldy. 



In spreading insects, the insect should first of all be pinned, the pin be- 

 ing thrust perpendicularly through the thorax, leaving about one-fourth of 



the pin to view. It should then 

 be placed upon the setting-board. 

 Setting-boards are two pieces of 

 board slanted toward the inside. 

 Many collectors prefer straight 

 boards, with a piece of cork be- 

 neath, and a groove on the upper 

 surface of sufficient depth to 

 accommodate the body of the 

 insect and to permit the wings 

 to be brought to a level of the 

 Fig. 4 . Folded paper for insects. upper surface of the board. 



When the insect has been pinned upon the board the next step is to set 

 the wings in the position which they are to maintain when the specimen 

 is thoroughly dry. 



In bringing the wings into position, care should be taken to put the 

 pin behind the strong nervure, on the costal margin of the wing; other- 

 wise the wings are liable to be torn and disfigured. The rule is to draw 

 the anterior wing forward in such a manner that the posterior margin of 

 this wing is at right angle to the axis of the body, the axis being a line 

 drawn through the head to the extremity of the abdomen. The hind wing 

 should then be moved forward, its anterior margin lying under the pos- 

 terior margin of the fore wing. When thus arranged slips of paper 

 should be drawn over them and securely pinned to keep them in position, 

 and the pins removed from the wings. Never pin through the wing. Next 

 the antennae should be adjusted ,and placed parallel with the wings, and 

 fine pins placed about them to hold them in position. Then if the body 

 has a tendency to droop it should be raised by placing pins under it on 

 either side. See Fig. 5. 



When insects have been spread the board should be placed where 

 they will be unmolested and free from dust. They should be left here for 

 about a week, longer if the insect is very large, at the end of which time 

 they may be taken off and put in the cabinet. 



Labelling Each specimen should have on the pin below the specimen 

 a small label, giving the date of capture, if known, and the locality. Labels 

 should be printed, or written in a fine hand, and preferably with India 

 ink. 



