If it is not convenient to mount the specimens when they are taken from
the killing bottle, the moths and butterflies should be put in _papers_
and other insects in cellucotton.
Papers are simply rectangular strips of paper of convenient size folded
as in fig. 9. A moth or butterfly, with its wings folded, is placed in a
paper, the edges of which are then crimped over to lock it shut.
For insects other than moths or butterflies, cardboard pillboxes
containing cellucotton make good temporary housing, fig. 10. A layer of
cellucotton is laid in the bottom, a layer of insects placed on it, and
another layer of cellucotton placed over the insects. The lid should fit
fairly snugly over all. Cigar boxes and other boxes of like size also
may be used in the same way.
[Illustration: Fig. 9.--Papers. These are temporary means of keeping
dragonflies, moths, butterflies, and small insects of other kinds
until they can be relaxed and mounted. A rectangular piece of paper,
of a size suited to the insect it is to contain, is folded along the
dotted lines and in the directions indicated by arrows, as shown in
_a_, _b_, and _c_.]
Great care must be taken that sufficient cellucotton is put in the box
to take up all moisture in the insect bodies. If the specimens are
large, they should be allowed to dry moderately uncovered before being
placed in cellucotton in storage containers. If insects become damp in
the containers they quickly mold or rot. The containers should be wood
or cardboard boxes, for they will not sweat, as will a metal box. The
insects should be packed tightly enough to prevent their rolling around
and breaking.