PREPARATIONS FOR A CABINET. 
28 
block right side up and the glass strips placed on the wings not far 
from their tips so as not to bend the wings too much. In spreading 
a fresh insect the pin through the thorax must be removed at the 
time of spreading, otherwise it will become so firmly attached that 
the specimen may be broken in removing it. With an insect which 
has once been dried this precaution is not necessary as the pin may 
be removed at any time. 
A smooth paper or palette knife will be found useful for opening 
the wings of the insects to be spread. Take the specimen in the left 
hand between the thumb and finger, and after inserting the knife 
between the wings bend them down on each side. If all the insects 
in a collection are spread so that the lower margins of the upper wings 
are at right angles to an imaginary line drawn lengthwise through 
the centre of the body the whole will look uniform and the beauty 
of the individual insects will be shown to the best advantage. The 
setting needles may be made more convenient to use if the ends are 
pushed into small wooden handles, match stubs for instance. If the 
needles are too long, as is apt to be the case, break them in two and 
use the points only. For mending broken insects and replacing 
detached antennae and legs, use white shellac. The appearance of 
a specimen whose wings are slightly injured may be very much 
