44 The Ottawa Naturalist. [June-Jtdy 



A CHEAP CASE FOR SMALL MUSEUMS. 



By Harlan I. Smith. 



Geological Survey, Ottawa. 



(Continued from page 36). 



One form and size of this case is practically a simple 

 box, three feet wide over all with a window sash screwed on as a 

 cover. The sides of the case may be 7 feet high. The top 

 and bottom of lyi inch material, 1 foot wide, is set in about 

 2ys inches, more or less, from the ends of the sides. These 

 four boards constitute the box' frame without front or back. 

 A piece 2}4 inches wide and as thick as the window sash, 

 usually 13/i, or, better, 1}4 is nailed across from side to 

 side at the top and bottom of both front and back to strengthen 

 the frame and to cover the space above and below the top and 

 bottom of the case; the lower one also serves as a support upon 

 which the lower edge of the glass front and glass or wooden back 

 frames may rest. This 2,^/2 -inch strip only partly covers the 

 edge of the top and bottom, so that the screws holding the front 

 and back may be inserted into the top and bottom, but also so 

 that there may be no crack or space from the front or back into 

 the space left at the outside of the top and bottom of the case. 

 A kicking moulding may then be put across from side to side 

 at the bottom of the case, both front and back, but it should 

 not project beyond the sides of the case, as this would prevent 

 several cases being placed close together, side by side. In short, 

 the sides of the case should be flush. A board is next put over 

 the top of the case to keep dust, etc., from gathering in the space 

 outside of the case top, and to give the case finish. This board 

 should project an inch or two in front and behind, but as in the 

 case of the kickboard should not extend beyond the sides of the 

 case except where a case is to stand alone. A moulding may be 

 placed below this top in the corner between it and the 2 >^ -inch 

 strip across the top of the front of the case according to taste. 

 The general label of the entire case may then be fastened on 

 this moulding on the 2 ^/2 inch strip or from the cover of the case 

 to the 214 inch strip, by means of round headed screws through 

 the middle of the end of the label board. In fact one purpose 

 for having the case extend above the top of the exhibition space, 

 that is above the top of the glass sash, is to provide this space 

 for a case label. On the other hand a case label may be painted 

 directly on the 2}^ inch strip, or the sash. 



