APIIORISMATA F.NTOMOLOfJICA. 



When, ia time, or by accident, the paper gets tliseoloured or damaged, 

 do not paper the drawer over again, but whitewash it, which has an 

 excellent effect, both in making it whiter than it even was before, filling- 

 up all pin-holes, destroying mites, if any, and stufl&ng up all those chinks 

 and crevices where they resort, and probably is a preventive of decay 

 and injury generally. Common whitening will do very well, and it may 

 be laid on with a common paint brush of a middle size. This, how- 

 ever, must be carefully done, as the more smoothly and evenly it is 

 washed over the drawer, the better of course it will look. It must 

 not be laid on too thick. A thin coating will hide most blemishes 

 when it is dry, but if the lines; of which presently; are intended to 

 be re-arranged, they had better be first rvibbed out with a piece of 

 Indian-rubber, Flake-white used to be considered the best material to 

 make the wash of, but it is rather expensive, and it will be found 

 that precipitated chalk, wliich is sold for a penny an ounce at the 

 druggists, will answer the purpose as well, or better. Six pennyworth 

 of it will be enough for twenty drawers. It should be placed in a common 

 small basin, and boiling or cold water poured upon it, so as just to 

 cover it. Some good gum arable, dissolved, should then be added, as 

 size, to make it keep without rubbing off. A tablespoonful or two 

 will be enough for two or three ounces. This is also to be had ready 

 made at the druggists, and costs a mere trifle. More water may be 

 added from time to time, as required. Experience will soon teach the 

 right proportions of each of the ingredients. The paste on the paper 

 is a never-failing supply of food for the mites, and the lime in the 

 chalk is an excellent corrective. 



To expel or destroy mites, invert the drawer, and place it, the 

 glass frame having been taken off, over a sheet of blotting-paper well 

 saturated with liquid naptha, for an hour or two. It is also recommended 

 to leave a few small globules of quicksilver loose in the drawers. 



Cork is the best thing to line the drawers with, but the following 

 is a cheap substitute, and easily procured and applied: — 



Two-thirds of the best bees-wax; one- third of the best resin; to which, 

 in this climate, not being a very hot one, a little tallow may be added. 



Renew camphor in the drawers every three months. 



If any mould arises on the antenna), wings, or bodies of any speci- 

 mens, a little cajeput oil will be found the best possible remedy. It 

 must be applied with a very small camel's hair brush. The best oil 

 should be procured, and, if possible, direct from the Apothecaries' JIall. 



