COLLECTING AND PRESERVING INSECTS BANKS. Ill 



sometimes injurious to dried insects. When in the field, ants some- 

 times get into the collecting box. If the box be soaked in oil of tar, 

 the odor, which keeps for many } T ears, will prevent the entrance of 

 ants. In the South, ants of the genus Monomorium somel imes ;ii I ack 

 collections, getting into Schmitt boxes through the crack near the 

 hinges. 



Remedies. — Insects will get in where one would hardly suppose it 

 possible, so that the collector should be extremely particular as to the 

 tightness of boxes. There are two excellent methods of lighting 

 insect enemies of insect collections. One is the use of carbon bisul- 

 phide to fumigate the boxes. A little poured into an infested box 

 will destroy all living insects. A good plan is to put the open box 

 into a larger box in which is placed a little of the carbon bisulphide. 

 In this way one will not stain the paper of the insect box. Museums 

 often have a large box especially prepared for fumigating specimens. 

 A good way is to fumigate all specimens received before placing them 

 in the cabinet. Carbon bisulphide is highly explosive, 

 and should not be used near a light. 



The best repellent against insect attack is naphtha- 

 lene. Agood quality will not only keep out the insects, 

 but will hinder the development of their larvae and 

 eggs. The best form in which to use this material is 

 that of the crystals, known as "flake naphthalene." 

 The dealers supply cones of naphthalene (fig. 16S), with 

 a pin, which may be fastened in the corners of the box. 

 It is easy, however, to make these for oneself by utilizing 

 the common moth balls. A heated pin is thrust head- fig.168.— a naph- 

 first into a moth ball. As it cools it is fastened solidly 

 into the ball. The cones and moth balls in evaporating leave a dirty, 

 blackish deposit. One may prevent this from soiling the paper of 

 the box by pushing a small paper pill box up the pin under the cone 

 before pinning the cone into the box. Another way is to wrap the 

 moth ball in a bit of Swiss netting and pin this in the corner of the 

 box. Some collectors use creosote to kill pests. A wad of cotton 

 soaked in creosote is placed in a small metal box or thimble, which 

 is fastened or pinned in the corner of the box. The English often use 

 carbolic acid and sometimes oil of lavender for protecting their col- 

 lections. A piece of camphor is dissolved in the carbolic acid, and 

 then this is poured on a small sponge which is pinned to the cover of 

 the box. 



Mold. — If a collection is stored in a damp place, or if pasteboard 

 boxes are used in a moist climate, the specimens are apt to mold. 

 Carbolic acid is the best remedy. A little pound into a box, or, 

 better, on a sponge pinned in a pill box in the corner, will prevent 

 mold. Moldy specimens can be cleaned with carbolic acid applied 

 with a fine camel's-hair brush. 



