CABINET PESTS. 



Mr. Neumogen, who has one of the largest collec- 

 tions in the world, places such specimens in a small 

 tin box provided with a cork bottom. The cork is 

 dampened, and the temperature and moisture is 

 controlled by a pipe that connects the interior of 

 the box with the outside air. In four weeks the 

 most hardened specimen has never failed to relax. 



Your insects may now be pinned into cedar cases, 

 made air-tight, and guarded by lumps of camphor 

 gum. In addition to these precautions, all speci- 

 mens should be subjected to a rigid quarantine of a 

 month before being transferred to the collection. 

 Even then the cases must be carefully examined 

 every month, and any indications of danger must 

 be regarded. If such appear, pour a few drops of 

 chloroform into the case, and close the cover. This 

 will drive the destructive creatures into sight from 

 crack and cranny. Kill them, preserving one or two 

 for specimens, and renew your previous precautions. 

 A simpler, and as effectual a method, is to give your 

 mounted insects, cases and all, a thorough baking in 

 the oven, but this also requires great care, as the heat 

 will spoil some kinds. 



Mr. E. S. Morse gives a good device for arranging 

 an insect-box for the cabinet. It consists of a light 

 wooden frame like a slate-frame, with paper stretched 

 upon the upper and lower surfaces. Dampen the paper 

 and glue it to the frame, and when the paper dries, it 

 will contract and become as tight as a drum-head. In- 

 side the box, upon two sides, fasten cleats, and let their 

 top edges be about a quarter of an inch above the bot- 

 tom. Rest the paper-covered frame upon these cleats. 

 The bottom of the box should be covered with soft 

 pine to receive the points of the pins. The space 

 under the frame should be dusted with snuff and 

 camphor to keep out insects. 



