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Journal of Applied Microscopy 



by a water proof cement, buttressed possibly at the angles by a mixture of 

 hydraulic cement and plaster of Paris. The Elliott glass covered boxes holding 

 cotton, upon which insects or plants can be impressed, are a cheaper substitute 

 for the Denton cells and not unworthy. Inverted bell-jar bottles with the stop- 

 pered mouth underneath for deliquescent minerals, salts, mineral industrial 

 products, etc., have been long in use, while for almost all such contingencies, 

 the catalogues of the Kny Scheerer Co. (225 4th Ave., N. \'. City), and of 

 Eimer and Amend (ISth St. and 3d Ave., N, Y. City), will be found suggestive 

 and adequate. 



BACKINGS, COVERS, ETC. 



Backgrounds may be made to play a most important part in the exhibition of 

 specimens. The contrast of colors between the object and the surface on which 

 it is displayed heightens the charm of museum installation. Backgrounds can 



Fig. U-2. — Gems on velvet pads, A. M. N. H. 



be painted on surfaces or fabrics. Painted surfaces are blue grays — the color 

 so lavishly employed in American Museum in New York, and, for most purposes, 

 very effective — or buffs, even reds ; while in fabrics black for white objects, as 

 corals, and green for shells, and an ivory white or maroon for fossils, are a good 

 general selection. 



Yelvet covering cork tablets have been used for gem collections, the gem 

 being laid on the velvet pad, or fixed into the underlying cork through the velvet, 

 by a pin. This is quite attractive, though perhaps an olive green would, as one 

 color, better replace the patchwork of white and black (Fig. 92). The installa- 

 tion of gems, so as to bring out their peculiar beauty, is not completely solved. 

 The writer has used with excellent results, in gem cases, a celluloid label with 

 black and red printing, the black and red lines alternating, as in book titles. 

 These give distinction to the cases, and have a striking and ornate appearance. 



In a gem room the elegance of the cases may be emphasized, and some con- 



