i; 



S. National Museum Cabinet 



Fig. 2$. Insect storage drawers in steel cabinet. 



(16^ x 15| x 2 T %" inside), the various sizes 

 being: 



For Cornell Type Drawers: 

 4f x 7 & x If" 



4j x m x if' 



4| x H| x If 

 4| x 1A 



For U. 

 Drawers: 



8 x 7f x If 

 4 x 7$ x If" 

 4 x 3}i! x If" 

 4 x 1| x If" 

 4 x li x If" 



Glass-topped cabinet drawers should be 

 arranged in racks, leaving as small amount 

 of space as possible between the drawers. 

 Wooden cases, or preferably steel cabinets 

 (See Fig. 28), should house the drawers and 

 protect the specimens from dust and insect 

 pests. Practically all large collections are 

 now stored in this type of cabinet. 



Insect Storage Boxes. Specially construc- 

 ed boxes are used for storing insect speci- 

 mens. Do not use old cigar boxes or shoe 

 boxes for storage. Carefully prepared and 

 labeled insects deserve proper storage in 

 pest-proof containers. Wooden insect boxes 

 should be used for permanent storage but 

 well constructed cardboard boxes may be 

 used for temporary purposes (See Fig. 29). 



WOodcu boxes are available in a variety of 

 types but all should meet the following 

 requirements: 



1. They must be as nearly air tight and dust 

 proof as possible in order to protect their con- 

 tents against the attacks of museum pests. 



2. The bottoms of the boxes should be lined 

 with a substance for receiving and holding the 

 pins. This pinning composition must allow the 

 pins to enter easily and must be resilient enough 

 to hold them firmly so that they cannot shake 

 out. Patent entomological cork, balsa wood, or 

 celotex are the best pinning substances. Avoid 

 any substance which is made with an acid filler 

 as the insect pin will soon corrode, stick to the 

 pinning bottom and break off easily when con- 

 siderable corrosion has occurred. 



3. Boxes must be sturdily constructed and not 

 be easily broken or otherwise damaged. 



fcv^'-oof.ng 



Fig. 29. Especially constructed wooden boxes 

 are best for storing the small collection. 



Protection against Pests. Museum pests 

 will feed upon and entirely destroy a col- 

 lection unless the specimens are protected 

 against their attacks. Various materials 

 are used to prevent their entrance into the 

 insect box or to kill them once they have 

 entered. The substance most generally 

 used is naphthalene, either in flake or moth 

 ball form. It volatilizes slowly, remains in 

 crystalline or in solid form for several 

 weeks, and it serves as a repellent to keep 

 pests from entering the box and as a killing 

 agent if they are present. 



Paradichlorbenzene volatilizes much 

 more quickly and is excellent for the fu- 

 migation of collections that have been at- 

 tacked by pests, but it cannot be depended 

 upon to provide continued protection such 

 as naphthalene gives. 



In Ward's insect collection the specimen 

 containers are fumigated regularly twice 

 each year with an equal mixture of Para- 

 dichlorbenzene and Naphthalene crystals 

 which kills any pests and yet gives the de- 

 sired repelling effect. A heaping table 

 spoonful to the insect box is a sufficient 

 quantity for 6 months' protection. 



