PLAN FOR INSECT STUDY 



55 



As scrap glass, broken glass of all sizes, and old photo- 

 graphic negatives 1 can be utilized in this way, the cost, 

 either to the children or the school, for mounting a good 

 working collection of insects need be practically nothing, 

 not even the price of insect pins. 



Spreading. — As we have now a clear idea of what we wish 

 to do with our insects, the matter of spreading — arrang- 

 ing wings and legs so that they will show what we wish 



Fig. i8. New Method of Spreading Insects 



to see — becomes one of ordinary common sense. While 

 the specimen is flexible, simply arrange the parts and have 

 them held as you wish until they dry. We will study 

 natural positions of the various insects and set the parts 

 accordingly. 



Since we do not mount insects in the old way, we do not 

 need the minute and technical apparatus and materials 

 usually described for this work. All that is required is 



1 Waste negatives are the best glass obtainable, thin, clear, and free 

 from bubbles. The films may be easily removed by hot water in which a 

 little sal soda or other alkali has been dissolved. 



