64 THE TAXIDERMISTS GUIDE. 



this order should always have the pin passed through the right 

 elytra on the right side, as shown at fig. 37, that is, it should pass 

 underneath, between the first^ pair of feet and the intermediate 

 ones. 



The legs, palpi, and antenna?, should be displayed in a natural 

 order on the setting board, and retained in the position by means 

 of pins and braces, as shown in plate IY, figs. 35,37. These must 

 be kept in that state, either longer or shorter, according to the 

 insect and the s.tate of the weather, as, if placed in a cabinet 

 before they are quite dry, they are sure to get mouldy, and will 

 ultimately rot. 



Minute insects should be attached to cards with gum, as shown, 

 plate IY, figs. 34 and 39, with the legs and other organs displayed. 

 Entomologists generally adapt triangular cords as at fig. 38, as 

 less liable to hide the parts of the insects. 



Order Lepidoptera. — Mr. Haworth, in mentioning the ^ten- 

 acity of life in the Goat Moth, states, that " the usual way of 

 compressing the thorax is not sufficient to kill this insect. They 

 will live several days after the most severe pressure has been 

 given there, to the great uneasiness of any humane entomologist. 

 The methods of suffocation by tobacco or sulpher are equally 

 inefficacious, unless continued for a greater number of hours, than 

 is proper for tbe preservation of the specimens. Another method 

 now in practice is better, and however fraught with cruelty it 

 may appear to the inexperienced collector, is the greatest piece 

 of comparative mercy that can, in this case, be administered. 

 When the larger Moths must be killed, destroy them at once by the 

 insertion of a strong^ red-hot needle into their thickest parts, begin- 

 ing at the front of the thorax. If this be properly done, instead of 

 lingering through several days, they are dead in a moment. It ap- 

 pears to me, however, that insects, being animals of cold and 

 slugglish juices, are not so susceptible of the sensations we call 

 pain, as those which enjoy^a warmer temperature of body, and 

 a swifter circulation of the fluids. To the philosophic mind, it is 

 self-evident that they have not such acute organs of feeling pain 

 as other animals of a similar size, -whose juices are endowed with 

 a quicker motion, and possess a constant, regular, and genial 

 warmth. 



