278 DIRECTIONS FOR COLLECTING MICROLEPIDOPTERA. 
pinned through the exact centre of the thorax, with the pin prop- 
erly sloped forward, the body appears to fall naturally into its po- 
sition on the setting board, and the muscles of the wings being left 
free are easily directed and secured; but if the pin is not put ex 
actly in the middle, it interferes with the play of the wings. Legs 
must be placed close against the body or they will project and 
interfere with the set of the wings. Practice, care and a steady 
hand will succeed. When all the insects that have been killed 
are set, the contents of the canister will be found again ready, 
twenty minutes being amply sufficient to expose to the fumes 
of ammonia. Very bright green, or pale pink insects should be 
killed by some other process, say chloroform, as ammonia will 
affect their colors. a E 
Insects should be left on the setting boards a full week to dry, 
then the braces may be carefully removed and they may be trans- — 
ferred to the store box. 
Having given some account of the process each insect goes | 
through I will say a word as to the apparatus required. ae 
First as to nets. The simplest net is a strong, circular, 10? 
wire hoop with bag of book muslin attached, fastened into a light : 
deal or other handle. oe 
I use a small pocket net about 9 inches in diameter made to aa 
up, with a jointed wire frame and a screw to fit into a brass S0% 
in ashort cane handle. To counteract the strain of the net pe 
so slight a frame the three wire joints are made flat, the two% 
but to prevent this upper joint from coming into 
net is fixed, the upper part of the screw which holds the ; 
the handle is welded square and fits a corresponding square pe 
in the other end of the wire frame, holding all tight when ai 
down. A small green silk or other net can be slipped on OFT 
frame as required. 
An umbrella net with stout steel rim and canvas edging 
for sweeping tall grass and herbage, or to beat bran 
which means many small and beautiful species of retired 
be obtained. ajned 
I use pill boxes with glass bottoms, which ean be obtem 
rious sizes. They are convenient in admitting of the & for; 
of each specimen, so rare species can be especially soart 
damaged ones permitted to escape ; but they are exp® ate 
