229 
RELAXING 
In ess every specimen IS thus label ed the value of the collection for scientific purposes is sadlv 
discounted: the label may lie almost said to be of equal value with the specimen which it serves to 
authenticate A wilfully misleading label giving false locality or date is an unforgiiable sin against 
science: no label at all is a lost opportunity to add onr mite to the sum of scientific knowledge. 
TViieii dealing with many specimens from any one locality, printed labels with space for written date 
of capture are neat and legible and save mncli time. They should bo printed in clear. but very small 
type^ so tliat the label may not exceed in size the smallest of tlie butterflies. 
Relaxing. When it is not possible to set the butterflies within a day or so of capture: when they have 
been received from other collectors unset or badly set: or when they have been stored in'paper 
envelopes (perhaps for years), it is necessary to relax them before they can be placed upon the sotting 
boards. Tliere are many ways of doino' this and none of them are altoi^etlier easA\ The difficulty is to 
keep them dami> lone; enouo-h for the muscles of the wing-s to thoroughly relax, and yet lo avoid the 
damp s])oding them, or mould makiug its appearance. 
They may he placed under a bell glass resting on damp sand: in a corklined damp box: between 
sheets of damp blotting paiier in a tightly closed tin box: or resting on a small pedestal in a jar 
partially tilled with water and closely stojipered. The relaxing receptacle should be quite air tight, or 
failing that nso slionld be made of an outside wrapiu'ng of several thicknesses of paper or oiled cloth 
to retain the moisture. None but boiled water should be used for the damping, and no specimen should 
bo allowed to touch a wet surface. 
Rulterllies will sometimes relax well in less than twentyfonr hours, but at other limes they will need 
.several days in the box: in Avarm weather they relax belter than in cold, but there is then greater danger 
of inonkl. When relaxed (bey are placed on the setting board in nmcli the same way as freshly killed 
specimens. Sometimes it may be necessary to bold the wing in position with a fine’ pin inserted just 
behind one of the stronger veins, but this should bo taken out when the covering paper is securely 
pinned down. Usually a few cross iiiiis and some little ingeimity is required to set the heiid in correct 
position to allow of spreading* the antennae uniformly. 
Some entomologists consider fortyoight hours on tlie boards suffleient. for relaxed butterflies, others 
think a fortnight none too long: much depends upon whetlier the moisture absorbed in the relaxing box 
is dried out by careful exposure to Are or sun or allowed to gTadually evaporate in the drying case. If 
taken off the boards too soon, or if set before thoroughly relaxed, the wings are liable, a few weeks later, 
to sprino- upwards a little and spoil the appearance. Painting the junction of wings and thorax beneath 
with sliellae dissolved in spirit is said to prevent the S]n*inging hack of the wings. In our experience 
Ihis is only a partial success and should be resorted to only when an obstinate specimen still springs 
after l)eing relaxed more than once. 
During the last year or two a i)atent relaxing tin has been much advertised and greatly recommended. 
Chemical fumes and bruised laurel leaves take the place of the usual moisture, Avhich must on no account 
be added. Some trials with this tin have been most successful and others for no apparent reason most 
disappointing. A dozen Hesperids remained in one of these tins for ten months and we set them then 
quite easily without any further relaxing. This appeared to demonstrate its victory over mould hut later 
experiments were not uniform. Used as a postbox to bring us unset specimens from other States mould 
has made its appearance within four weeks. Ai^iparently the specimens must be themselves dry when 
put in the box, and if too many are enclosed the moisture of their bodies will he of itself sufficient to 
allow mould to get a footing. A mould proof relaxing box would be an inestimable boon to the collector, 
especially when travelling. 
The butterflies having been captured, killed, set and lalielled, their storing and arrangement require 
our attention. 
Storing. Some collectors prefer storeboxes to cabinet drawers on account of their smaller cost, the 
less room occupied, the ease with which the collection can then be packed for removal, and the con¬ 
venience of introducing a new storebox at any time to an overcrowded portion of the collection. On 
the other hand the cabinet drawers are safer from insect ]msts, can be examined and exhibited without 
the same danger of damage, and can he arranged with much better effect. 
Many a collector dreams of the day when he will be able to afford, a forty drawer cabinet in which 
to finally arrange his collection. But in Australia there is little chance of anything like finality for 
many years to come. We anticipate that more than a feAV new species and many new races will yet ])e 
found, and he will be a poor sort of enthusiast whose collection will not be continually growing in numbers 
and value. After a good many years of exjoerience, the plan we favour is the adoption of a uniform 
