HOW TO MAKE A COLLECTION OF INSECTS 



33 



up. But some large-winged kinds, as butterflies, moths, dragon- 

 flies, etc., should have their wings spread. To accomplish this, 

 there is necessary a setting-board (figs. 12 and 13), consisting of 

 a block or frame arranged so that a groove runs between two flat 

 strips of board. Under the groove cork is fastened. The body of the 

 pinned insect is placed in the groove, the pin being thrust into the 

 cork below far enough to bring the back of the insect just even 

 with the surface of the strips of the board at the sides. The wings 

 are spread out and held flat against the surface by pinned-down 



strips of paper. Insects should be 

 left on the setting or spreading 

 boards for a week or more, when 

 they may be removed, the wings 

 having dried in this outspread 

 position. 



Caterpillars, spiders and some 

 very soft bodied insects should 

 not be pinned up but should be put 

 into alcohol in vials for preserva- 

 tion. Cocoons and chrysalides may 

 be mounted on pins or put into 

 alcohol. The pinned specimens 

 must be kept in "insect, cases;" 

 the best insect cases for the begin- 

 ning collection are cigar boxes 

 with the bottom covered inside 

 with sheet cork or with any soft 

 pith such as the flowering stem 

 of the century plant (pita- 

 wood) or of the stalks of field 

 corn (corn-pith). The pinned 

 insects can be arranged in these 

 cigar boxes according to kind; i. 

 PI?. 12. setting- board. (After conistock). e., all the beetles together, all the 



