3o6 



INSECT LIFE. 



they can be spread as easily as when fresh. Care 

 must be taken not to leave the specimens in the relax- 

 ing jar too long lest they become moldy. A few 

 drops of carbolic acid poured upon the sand will 

 tend to prevent the growth of mold. 



Insect Cases. — Cases or boxes are needed in 

 which to store specimens when pinned. For tempo- 

 rary use, and especially when it is desirable to avoid 

 all unnecessary expense, empty cigar-boxes can be 

 procured for this purpose. The shallow boxes — 

 those made to hold fifty cigars — are best. 



Unfortunately it is impracticable to keep collec- 

 tions of insects permanently in cigar-boxes, for there 

 is a small beetle — the museum pest — which is sure to 

 destroy the specimens if they are not kept in cases 

 with tightly fitting covers. Cigar-boxes will serve 

 the needs of a class while they are carrying on the 

 work ; but if the teacher or any of the pupils desire 

 to make a permanent collection, insect cases should 

 be procured. There are many styles of these in use ; 

 that described below will be found serviceable and 

 inexpensive, and can be made by any skillful carpen- 

 ter. It is made as follows : — 



The lumber should be basswood or some other 

 nonresinous wood that will not split too easily. Pine 

 is not suitable for this purpose on account of the 

 resin that will exude and injure the specimens. Cut 

 from a board, half an inch in thickness, two strips. 

 One of these should be an inch and a quarter, the 

 other an inch and three quarters wide. Match these 

 together with a tongue and groove three sixteenths 

 of an inch deep, making the groove in the narrower 

 piece. On one side of the narrower piece near the 



