PK0CEEDI:NGS of XUE THIUD entomological MEETINO 965 



ful supply of powdered naphthaline should therefore be kept in all store- 

 boxes, cabinet-drawers, etc. It is of comparatively Httle use to pin a 

 large lump of solid naphthaline in one corner, as the evaporation from 

 a limited surface is too small- to exercise any really beneficial effect. 

 In the case of cabinets, there is ample space provided as a rule around 

 each drawer and, if this space is kept filled with powdered naphthaline, 

 the collection will remain quite safe ; should excessive evaporation 

 take place and naphthalhie be deposited on the specimens, a httle airing 

 will speedily free them without damage. In the case of store-boxes, 

 a " camphor-cell " is usually provided and this should be filled with 

 powdered naphthaline, but it is often too small and in such cases the 

 inside of the box may be paiuted over with naphthaline dissolved in 

 benzine. It is best to keep store-boxes in tightly-fitting almirahs which 

 can be given a plentiful supply of naphthahne ui crystals or small lumps 

 so that the boxes are kept in an atmosphere impregnated with naph- 

 thahne vapour. 



Extreme dryness is also injurious to insect specimens, as they become 

 very brittle and are apt to break at the least touch. Moderately dry 

 conditions of storage should be aimed at as far as possible. 



Insect Pests, especially Psocids (the so-called " mites "), Derrnestid 

 beetles, Tribolium, and Tineid moths attack and rxiin specimens to 

 which they have access', but are easily kept at bay hy the irse of tightly- 

 tittLng receptacles well impregnated with naphthahne. In case pests 

 such as Dermestids gain access to the collection, however, it takes more 

 than naphthahne to destroy them. In such cases a mixture may be 

 used composed of naphthaline dissolved in carbon bisulphide and mixed 

 with beech-wood creosote, in the proportion of about one-third of each 

 constituent, and a little of this poured into the boxes ; this acts equally 

 well for insect pests and mould and at Pusa we use this to a consider- 

 able extent, especially during the Rains. 



Care must be taken that insect pests do not attack specimens when 

 on the setting-boards and be subsequently introduced into the collec- 

 tion with the set specimens. The boards should therefore be kept 

 in a tightly-fitting drawer or similar place with plenty of naphthaline 

 and carbolic acid. Major Fraser mentions a small fly which attacks 

 insects (especially dragon-flies) on the setting-boards at Poona, but 1 

 have never come acro.ss this. 



Larger animals, such as mice, will devour the bodies of dried speci- 

 mens, and of course ruin them, but the access of such large animafe 

 can only be due to gross carelessness. And, generally speaking, damage 

 to a collection by animal pests of any sort is only possible when there 

 is a certam amount of neglect exhibited. 



