162 APHOBISMATA ENTOMOLOGICA. 



When, in time, or by accident, the paper gets discoloured or damaged, do 

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

 effect, both in making it whiter thau it even was before, filling up all pin-holes, 

 destroying mites, if any, and stuffing 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, however, 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 dr}-, but if the lines, of which presently, are intended to be re-arranged 

 they had better be first rubbed 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, which 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 thin 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. 



Eenew camphor in the drawers every three months. 



If any mould arises on the antennae, wings, or bodies of any specimens, 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' Hall. It will be found also most 

 useful in thus restoring beetles, and has a relaxing effect at the same time 

 upon the antennae and legs of the smaller ones, so that their setting can be 

 easily improved if necessary. 



If the cabinet can only be kept against an outside wall, let it, if possible, 

 be a wall with a south aspect. 



lu placing the insects in rows in the cabinet, draw double lines between 

 each row; it has a much better effect. Use great neatness in drawing the 

 Knes, which should be made with a hard aad very fine-pointed pencil. Put 

 the insects very straight in each row, or the collection will never look well. 



