APIIOEISMATA ENTOMOLOGICA. 



"CAVENDO TUTUS." 



Nothing can be done in Entomology witlioufc a good cabinet: this 

 should be the foundation stone. Have it made of old oak or mahogany, 

 cither of these woods being well seasoned. It should be well and evenly 

 corked, with good soft cork, and glazed with good glass; the glasses 

 fitted in frames to take in and out. It should be made by some 

 person who is in the habit of making them, for the mode of fitting 

 the frames is not very easily explained on paper. 



Let the drawers be about one foot nine inches long in front, 

 one foot six inches in width, and two inches and a quarter in 

 depth, on the outside. They must be carefully papered at the bottom 

 and on the sides. This is always done in the first instance by the 

 maker. There must be a ledge placed for camphor, but it need not 

 go all round the inside of the drawer, as is generally the cass; it will 

 be quite sufficient to have it on one side. This had better be the 

 front side, as then it is completely out of sight, and the drawer appears 

 without any detriment. There need be no holes cut in the front of 

 the ledge, for the scent of the camphor to pass through; the top of 

 the ledge being left open affords abundant escape for it. 



Keep the cabinet in the dryest room in the house, and never let 

 it be placed against an outer wall, but if possible against the part of 

 a wall that is behind a fireplace in an adjoining room. Mould must 

 be carefully avoided: it is thus totally prevented; but if otherwise suffered 

 to appear, cannot be cleared away without some injury to the specimens, 

 and will spi'ead again unless thus cheeked. Keep the glasses on the 

 drawers as much as possible, both on account of the mites, and also 

 of the dust, which, if it settles upon the insects, must more or less 

 damage their appearance. Take, however, the glasses off every now 

 and then for a moment or two, or raise them, if ever so little; for 

 the fresh air admitted will help to keep off mould and damp. See 

 that the drawers of the cabinet run easily, otherwise the specimens will 

 be shaken by the jarring every time it is put in or taken out, and 

 the antennte and bodies will be liable to be shaken off. 



