126 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [October, 



A NEW FORM OF CABINET FOR BUTTERFLIES. 



BY ISAAC C. MARTI NDALE. 



Having just had completed a new cabinet, which gives such 

 good satisfaction, I am prompted to acquaint the readers of the 

 NEWS with the manner of its construction, and its many advan- 

 tages, as it is the best form I have yet seen for easy examination, 

 study, or comparison of specimens. The case is of Walnut, and 

 is made in two sections (thus being more portable), one fitting 

 on top of the other, the upper having sixteen drawers and the 

 lower one twenty-four, each drawer being 24 inches wide by 20 

 inches deep, and of sufficient height to admit of the use of any 

 ordinary pin. Each drawer has also its separate compartment, 

 this I have found much better than where they slide on runners; 

 the drawers being all interchangeable, admit of any change of 

 location, which so often is found necessary where one's collection 

 is constantly receiving new accessions. 



The especial feature is the drawer itself, which, instead of hav- 

 ing a cork bottom as is usually the case, has both the top and 

 bottom of glass; the top part of the drawer frame fits tightly over 

 a ledge one inch in height, effectually preventing the intrusion of 

 destructive insects, the pest of the entomologist, but it is readily 

 lifted when it is desirable to add to the contents, or change the 

 location of the specimens. For the inside arrangement I have 

 taken a strip of common tin, one inch wide, and turned up each 

 side five-sixteenths of an inch, thus leaving three-eighths of an 

 inch for the bottom, the length of the strip of tin being about 

 two inches longer than the width of the drawer admits of each 

 end being turned up one inch; into this tin trough is tightly fitted 

 a cork strip three-eighths of an inch square, the whole being 

 covered with white paper, such as is usually used for lining 

 drawers, conceals the inequalities of the cork, and makes a fine 

 finish; they should be made to fit neatly in the drawer, and can 

 be readily moved about to suit large or small specimens; for Ly- 

 ccenas, Paniphilas, etc., as many as fifteen of these strips may be 

 used in one drawer, and as few 'as five for Morphos, Caligos, etc. 

 The upturned ends are fastened in place by using the ordinary 

 thumb tacks that can be procured at any stationer's; the frame 

 work of the drawers should be of White Pine, well seasoned; 

 into this the thumb tacks are readily inserted and as easily with- 

 drawn when a change in the position of the cork strips is needed. 



