HOW TO COLLECT AND PRESERVE INSECTS 15 



The hoi«z;lit of the insects on the pin is important for the finiil 

 appearance of the collection. A strip of cardboard whose width is 

 one-quarter to one-third the lenp;th of the pin makes a convenient 

 gauge. With one edge held at the head of the pin, push the insect 

 up until it touches the other edge. Or a block of wood containing 

 a hole whose diameter is a trifle larger than that of the pin's head 

 and whose depth is one-quarter to one-third the length of the pin 

 may be used. Devices for regulating the height by sticking the point 

 of the pin into a gauge are not satisfactory because of the varying 

 thicknesses of the specimens. 



Figure 9. A setting board for use when it ia desired to spread the legs. 



Mounting insects in balsam on glass slides will probably not be 

 taken up by the general collector unless he be already accustomed 

 to making balsam mounts. It is, however, the only satisfactory method 

 of getting extremely small mounts ready for study. 



In collections, butterflies and moths usually have all four wings 

 expanded to their utmost and more or less in hne with the lateral 

 axis of the creature's body. This makes a nice looking collection and 

 is the best that can be done with most butterflies. However, many 



