MICHIGAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 175 



The methods of preserving alcohoHcs is quite different. In the case of 

 reptiles, amphibians and fish, a block tin label is used instead of paper labels, 

 and the specimens are immersed in alcohol. The strength of alcohol used 

 varies according to the class of the specimen; these are stored in a room es- 

 pecially reserved for that purpose and are arranged according to the taxo- 

 nomic groups to which they belong. For convenience in locating the speci- 

 mens belonging to these groups, and for keeping all of the data close at hand 

 a card catalogue is kept of each group, as in the case of birds and mammals. 

 A collection of pinned insects is generally a part of every museum, and be- 

 cause of its nature as many problems probably arise as to its care as in al- 

 most any other collection in the museum. First, the number of species with 

 which a museum has to deal is extremely large, and their proper identification 

 takes time and careful study. Second, many of the specimens are so small 

 and delicate that a great deal of care must be taken in handling them to 

 avoid injury. Third. Such collections are subject to pests which may infect 

 them, and because of this they must be carefully examined and if need be 

 disinfected at short intervals. The University Museum has found that a 

 g;ood method for keeping such specimens is in Comstock insect boxes which 

 are placed in large wooden cabinets and arranged according to their taxo- 

 nomic order. Other invertebrates such as leeches, crayfish, worms, spiders, 

 small molluscs, etc., are preserved in alcohol. Such specimens are generally 

 placed in wooden racks and placed upon the shelves in the "alcoholic room" 

 in the section reserved for the particular group to which they belong. 



Before bringing to a close this section which I have devoted to the "study 

 series" of a Natural History Museum, mention should be made of the neces- 

 sity of a working library on the subjects connected with the specimens of 

 this series. It should be in close proximity to the storage rooms in which 

 such specimens are kept, and should include the standard check-lists, refer- 

 ence books, etc., which it is necessary to consult in the study of the speci- 

 mens. 



According to present day ideas, much of the value of the specimen 

 lies in what is known regarding it, i. e., the locality from which the specimen 

 was secured, habitat relations, when it was collected, who collected it, etc. 

 Methods must be perfected by means of which such data may be kept in 

 such a way that it may be quickly and easily available when needed. There 

 are three principal phases of the problems here involved, namely, accession- 

 ing, general and card cataloging. 



The plan that has been adopted by the University Museum for recording 

 the data of a specimen upon its arrival is the Accession Card System, and 

 so far this has proved very satisfactory. A card (with a printed form) is 

 filled out at once upon the arrival of a specimen, with all the available data 

 pertaining to the object, such as, Date of collection; Locality; Collector; 

 Accession Number, etc. This card is a part of a card catalogue system, and 

 as soon as it is made out and the specimen catalogued, the catalogue number 

 is stamped upon it, and it is placed in the card catalogue case, and arranged 

 in the alphabetical order of the contributors. 



The next step is the listing of the data in a permanently bound volume 

 known as the "General Catalogue," and giving to the specimen a catalogue 

 number. This catalogue has appropriately printed titles at the head of 

 each column which is to be filled in with the corresponding data, and at the 

 side are printed the catalogue numbers arranged in consecutive order. The 

 data is then entered in the Card Catalogue, and the number tied on the speci- 

 men which is then placed in its proper place in the collection. 



