50 NATURALISTS' ASSISTANT. 



next comes the generic, and then the specific ; the insects 

 belonging to the species are then extended in a transverse 

 row and following them on the left of the case, comes the 

 next specific label and so on. Some have adopted a method 

 of showing the geographical distribution of forms at a glance 

 by the color of the label, and in geological collections the 

 "age" by the same method, but it is doubtful if it repays 

 the extra trouble involved. 



Labels can be obtained of " regular" sizes of most dealers 

 in naturalists' supplies at a cheaper rate than they can be 

 produced by local printers. Generic and specific names for 

 labelling certain groups of insects are also kept on sale and 

 well repay the cost. 



Catalogues are important, though some of the largest mu- 

 seums almost wholly dispense with them. The best results 

 follow the use of the double system employing both books 

 and cards. In a book prepared for the purpose, each speci- 

 men is entered as received, with all possible information. 

 For this the books should be ruled in columns for the fellow- 

 ing entries : original number, current number, number of 

 specimens, name, sex and age, where collected, when col- 

 lected, by whom collected, donor, remarks. A number is 

 then affixed to the specimens corresponding to the entry in 

 the book catalogue. Sheets of printed numbers for this 

 purpose are kept for sale by dealers in naturalists' supplies. 

 Where possible, parchment numbers should be used and tied 

 to the specimen. Even better than parchment is the method, 

 which is now extensively adopted, of stamping the number 

 on sheet zinc with the steel punches which may be bought at 



