PROCEEDINGS OF THE THIRD ENTOMOLOGICAL MEETING 967 



preferable, and in any case it will be found most convenient to have 

 all the boxes of a uniform size, at least as regards length and breadth. 

 As regards depth, the ordinary depth of 3 inches is too shallow to admit 

 of placing large or high-set insects on both sides of the box without 

 risk of damage and an external depth of four inches is best. A four- 

 inch box is not only more economical of space (as three four-inch boxes 

 filled on both sides hold as many specimens as six three-mch boxes 

 which can only be filled on one side, and also occupy on a shelf only 

 the space required by four three-inch boxes) but is also more easily 

 placed upright on an almirah shelf as it does not tend to topple over as 

 a three-inch box does. 



As regards material, imported store-boxes, as supphed by dealers 

 in entomological requisites, have until comparatively recently been 

 made of deal, the top and bottom often only glued to the sides, with 

 the result that these come unstuck m damp weather. The tops and 

 bottoms also crack and split in the dry weather, so that glued deal- 

 wood boxes are unsatisfactory under Indian conditions. In any case, 

 the tops and bottoms should be screwed onto the sides in addition to 

 being glued. 



Locally-made boxes are made of various kinds of wood, of which 

 teak is that most frequently used. A well-made box of good, seasoned 

 teak should last well, but has the disadvantage of being heavy and is 

 -by no means immune from, the top especially, splitting in hot, dry 

 weather, with the result that insect pests and mould play havoc with 

 the collection during the ensuing Eains. Another disadvantage of 

 locally-made boxes is that it is extremely difficult to secure exact 

 standardization in size, with the result, if the boxes arc kept in racks, 

 that eome boxes will be found not to fit in properly. 



Three-ply store-boxes, i.e., boxes whose tops and bottoms are made 

 of a " three-ply " wood, such as " Venesta " boarding, and whose sides 

 are usually made of deal, have come into use of late years and our experi- 

 ence of them has shown that they are thoroughly satisfactory in use. 

 A box of this pattern, 17| x 12 x 4 inches, holds a large number of insects 

 whilst being sufficiently light for easy handling. The tops and bottoms 

 should be screwed on and the whole of the outside varnished. The 

 inside is fitted with a large cell for naphthaline and the top and bottom 

 lined with sheet cork covered with white paper. 



The first requirement of a good store-box is that it must remain 

 tight, without cracking or shrinking under any climatic conditions 

 in India, and this requirement has only been fulfillecl so far in the case 

 of three-ply boxes. We have had no experience of metal boxes in 

 India. 



