GENERAL ACCOUNT OF BUTTERFLIES 



of capture is written on the envelope. When it 

 is desired to pin and spread specimens that have 

 been stored in this way, they are relaxed by put- 



FlG. 17. — Folded papers for butterflies. 



ting them on damp sand in a tightly closed vessel 

 and leaving them there two or three days. 



For pinning insects a special kind of pin is 

 ordinarily used — one made of slender 

 wire — so that the specimens are muti- 

 lated as little as possible (Fig. 18). 

 These can be procured of any dealer 

 in entomological supplies. The pin 

 is pushed through the middle of the 

 thorax, and about one-fourth of its 

 length is left projecting above the Spec- 



's 



imen 



Fig. 18.— 

 Insect-pins. 



It is necessary that specimens of 

 butterflies be " spread " before they are 

 placed in a cabinet. For doing this a device 

 known as a spreading-board is used. This con- 

 sists of two strips of wood fastened a short dis- 



3 1 



