y will. After the specimens are pinned
they should be put away in cigar boxes in the bottom of which is pinned
or pasted a layer of cork or corrugated paper similar to that which
comes between glass fruit cans. These make ideal cases for keeping small
collections as the odor of tobacco helps keep pests from getting in to
destroy the collection.

[Illustration: Home-made spreading board for spreading butterflies and
moths.]

[Illustration: Cigar box with strip of corrugated paper in bottom used
as case for keeping pinned insects.]

_Rearing and Observing Them While Alive_

While studying an insect it is advisable wherever possible to first
study it where it is found in the field and later bring it home and keep
it alive in a jar where it can be fed and observed and its various
habits studied. Cages for breeding insects consist simply of a few glass
fruit cans and jelly glasses with tin or cloth covers. A child can
borrow one or two of these from his mother's fruit cellar. A layer of
moist sand or soil should be put in the bottom of the jar to provide a
retreat for those forms which go into the ground before changing to
adults. Before an insect is placed in one of these breeding cages its
food plant should be determined by observations in the field, and every
day or two a fresh supply should be gathered. Most of the forms
discussed in the following chapters can be kept in jars and reared to
the adult stage. Rearing insects is both interesting and instructive.
Every child should be given an opportunity to rear a few forms either
during the school year or during the summer vacation.

* * * * *

"_I happened one night in my travels
To stray into Butterfly Vale,
Where my wondering eyes beheld butterflies
WITH WINGS THAT WERE WIDE AS A SAIL.
They lived in such houses of grandeur,
Their days were successions of joys,
And the very last fad these butterflies had
WAS MAKING COLLECTIONS OF BOYS._

"_There were boys of all sizes and ages
PINNED UP ON THEIR WALLS. When I said
'Twas a terrible sight to see boys in that plight,
I was answered: 'OH, WELL THEY ARE DEAD.
WE CATCH THEM ALIVE, BUT WE KILL THEM,
WITH ETHER--A VERY NICE WAY:
Just look at this fellow--his hair is so yellow,
And his eyes such a beautiful gray._

"_'Then there is a droll little darky,
As black as the clay at our feet;
He