[1915 The Ottawa Naturalist. 45 



The front of the case is made of a simple window sash, such 

 as may be obtained in any town where a sash and door factory 

 exists, or for that matter any place where houses are built. It 

 is fastened with round headed screws engaging the edge of the 

 sides and top of the case, the frame resting upon the 2^ inch 

 strip across the lower part of the case. By screwing the frame 

 on, it is not necessary to go to the expense of hinges and locks. 

 The screw holes may be soaped, waxed, or m.etal screw sockets 

 may be used if it seems desirable to go to that expense. A 

 screwdriver serves as a key. Moreover, by drawing the screws 

 tight, the case may be made as near dust-proof as is necessary 

 in a small museum. In fact much more fuss is made about 

 dust-proof cases and about getting fine cases than about using 

 them, after fine dust-proof cases are obtained; that is, the 

 curator's energy seems to be used up in getting building, cases, 

 and specimens ; then he rests on his oars as a rvile, leaving the 

 exhibits without understandable labels, and practically useless. 

 A little attention given to wiping otit cases, cleaning specimens 

 and looking to the upkeep of the specimens in most cases would 

 be cheaper and quicker than giving so mvich attention to dust 

 and insect proof cases. Moreover, going over the specimens 

 say once a year for such a purpose, the curator could hardly fail 

 to note the lack of order and labels, and many things which he 

 would then want to do to improve the usefulness of his exhibit. 

 However, cotton tape or wicking set in a planed groove may 

 be added to exclude dust if desired. 



The frame should be cut down on the outer sides and ends 

 as much as is consistent with sufficient strength to hold the glass, 

 but of course it cannot be cut down to less than the "^/i of an inch 

 necessary to cover the edges of the sides and top of the exhibi- 

 tion case, to which it is screwed. The glass should be in the 

 largest pieces obtainable, up to the full size of the frame, and 

 where more than one piece of glass is required preference should 

 be given to running the mullions horizontally so that they may 

 the more often fall opposite a horizontal shelf edge instead of 

 vertically across the line of vision. It is hardly necessary to say 

 that the glass should be of the best quality which the museum 

 can afford, and certainly shotdd be free from blebs and other 

 blemishes. If it is sufficiently heavy, there will be no need of 

 disfiguring signs requesting visitors not to lean on the glass. 



Shelves may be cut about Vi of an inch shorter than the top 

 and bottom of the case, so that they may be moved easily and 

 may rest upon round headed screws, or, still better, on screw 

 eyes turned horizontally in the sides of the case, one at each 

 corner of the shelf. When it is necessary to raise or lower the 



