SETTING 
228 
Figure illustrating method of setting butterflies. 
Paper envelope for storing 
butterflies. 
Setting. Tie two short lengths of ordinai’y sewing cotton to two No5 pins close to the points. Insert 
these pins in the board a little in front of the butterfly, one cdose to each side of the groove. Guide 
the cotton between the wings and with it jiress them flat against tlie boards, holding the cottons against 
the boai*d below the insect Avith the first and third finger of the left hand. Take a fine pin (wo use No. 
16) in tile forceps and, iirst easing the lefthand cotton between the left tluiinl) and the forefinger, with 
the point of the pin draw the foreAving foi’Avard till the dorsum of the Aving is at an o.xact right angle 
Avith the groove of the setting lioard. Hold it tliere with the cotton, and in the same way draAV foiward 
the liindAving till its costa is likhlen under tlie dorsum of the forewing. Take a small oblong of seini- 
transparont paper (tracing jiaper or vegetable })archment paper ansAvers well), jdace it acros.s both 
Avings and pin it doAvu firmly to the board Avitb small pins. Treat the two right hand Avings in similar 
manner. Then use the pin in the forcejis to place the antennae in thoir correct positions—see plates— 
and bold them there Avilli cross ]>ins or Avith tiny squares of pajier. Place t.AVo cross jiins beneath and 
Iavo aboA’e the abdomen, holding it in the centre of the gi'ooA'e just leA’el Avith the surface of the setting 
hoard. 
Careless collectors set the Avings only, and nlioAA’ the antennae and abdomen to dry as they pleaf^e, 
but the appearance of the sjiecimcn always sun’ers. Home jirefer a long needle set in a wooden liandle 
Avitli Avliicli to draw lorAvard the Avings; this entails taking up and setting doAvn the f(»rceps and the 
needle quite a number of times during the setting of each sjieciinen : our method avoids this, is easily 
learnt, and saves much time an<l trouble. The oblongs of jiajicr should be cut large enough to fully cover 
bf)tli Avings. The use of tran.sjiarent pajier alloAvs of the i^lacing of the atlaching pins close to the edges 
of the Avings Avitliout any danger of piercing them: should a Aving slij) hack out of ]iosition it is more 
readily noticed thim Avhen o|)aque jiajier or card is used. 
Drying. Tlie hnnudity of the atmosphere and Ihe size of tlie hutterlly must determine the length of time 
the insect should remain on the setting hoard. A feAV days is oflon enough, a Aveek is usually quite 
sutllcient, hut iu damp weather seA'oral Aveeks may he needed. I>y artificial heat siicciinens may bo 
dried in a few hours, hut great care is needed: too great or too sudden heat makes the antennae and 
legs hiitllc and a\ ill catii curl the papers and the Avings. An i<leal plan is to exjioso the board in (lie 
sunsliine and breeze, if it he ]K)ssil)lo to keep careful Avatcli oA'cr it. It is always safe to take the liutier- 
tho boards and ])ut it in the storehox or cabinet draAA’er as soon as the abdomen becomes 
rigid; this can he ascertained by careful jiressure Avitli a iiiii after the crosspiiis haA’e been removed. 
Ijahelling. The importance of the careful and accurate labelling of each hutterllv liandled cannot bo 
oA’^erostiinaled. A small s<|uaro of Avhile paper or card Avith the phu'e and dale fd' capture \s essontinl. 
The label should he Avritten inmuHliately the hnitertly is set, ]>inned beside it on the Imard, and placed 
upon its pill honealh it Avheii it is taken ott the lioard. Hut terllies stored in eiiA’cIopcs should Iuia'o the 
date and locality ])cncilIod u|ioii each eiiA'elojie; Ih.ey should ho relaxed in their ciiA’elopes and the label 
Avritten for eacli ns it is set. 
