[105] 



COLLECTING AND PRESERVING INSECTS RILEY. 



exclusively used. It is simply ground cork mixed with a small amount 

 of giue, compressed into sheets and covered with paper. This gives a 

 very homogenous composition, and is much better than the ordinary cork, 

 having a more uniform and neat appearance, and admitting the inser- 

 tion of the pins more freely. It may be purchased from H. Herpers, 18 

 Crawford street, Newark, N. J. 



A less expensive substitute is paper stretched upon a frame. Prof. 

 E. S. Morse has given in the "American Naturalist'' (Vol. i, p. 156) a 

 plan which is very neat and useful for lining boxes in a large museum, 

 which are designed to be placed in horizontal show-cases (Fig. 120). 

 ''A box is made of the required depth, and a light frame is fitted to its 

 interior. Upon the upper and under surfaces of this frame a sheet of 

 white paper (drawing or log paper 

 answers the purpose) is securely 

 glued. The paper, having been 

 previously damped, in drying con- 

 tracts and tightens like a drum- 

 head. The frame is then secured 

 about one-fourth of an inch from the 

 bottom of the box, and the pin is 

 forced down through the thick- 

 nesses of paper, and if the bottom 

 of the box be of soft pine, the point 

 of the pin may be slightly forced 

 into it. It is thus firmly held at 

 two or three different points, and 

 all lateral movemnts are prevented. Other advantages are secured by 

 this arrangement besides firmness: when the box needs cleaning or 

 fumigation, the entire collection may be removed by taking out the 

 frame; or camphor, tobacco, or other material can be placed on the bot- 

 tom of the box, and concealed from sight. The annexed figure repre- 

 sents a transverse section of a portion of the side and bottom of the 

 box with the frame. A A, box; B, frame; P P, upper and under 

 sheets of paper; C, space between lower sheets of paper and bottom 

 of box." 



Other substitutes are the pith of various plants, especially of corn. 

 Palm wood and u inodorous felt" are also used, being cut to fit the 

 bottom of the box. 



Pita wood or the light porous wood of the Agave or Century plant 

 when cut into proper strips also makes a very light and satisfactory 

 lining, while good close bog-peat cut into proper thicknesses is not 

 infrequently used in France and Germany. Druce & Co., 68 Baker street, 

 London, "W., England, have lately been manufacturing what is known 

 as cork carpet, which seems to be a combination of ground cork and 

 rubber. It comes in various colors and of the proper thickness, and 

 makes a very smooth and desirable lining, holding the pins very firmly. 



FIG. 120. Paper lining for insect box. 

 Marse.) 



(After 



