APHORISMATA ENTOMOLOGICA. 



'CAVENDO TUTUS. 



Nothing can be done in Entomology without a good cabinet: this should 

 be the foundation stone. Have it made of old oak or mahogany, either 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 th'e 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 case; 

 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 driest 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 awaj' 

 without some injury to the specimens, and will spread again unless thus checked. 

 Keep the glasses on the drawers as much as possible, botli 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 oS' 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 antennse and bodies will be liable to 

 be shaken oflf. 



