THE PRESERVATION AND ARRANGEMENT OF COLLECTIONS 



In order to preserve collections of lepidoptera in beautiful condition, light, 

 moisture, and insect pests must be excluded. Light bleaches many species, espe- 

 cially those which are red, brown, or green in color. Moisture produces mold and 

 /mildew. Insect pests such as mites, Anthrenus, and Dermestes, the two latter being 

 species of beetles, devour specimens. The receptacles containing collections should 

 therefore be furnished with covers excluding the light, kept in a dry place, and be so 

 tight that insect pests will not enter. However, as an additional precaution, it is 

 well to place in every box or drawer moth balls or lumps of camphor, secured so 

 that they cannot roll about. These tend to deter predaceous insects from entering 

 the receptacles. If by any chance they have entered, neither the naphthaline nor 

 the camphor in some cases will prevent their ravages. In the great collections 

 which are under the care of the writer it is a rule from time to time to go over all 

 the cases and put into every receptacle a small quantity of carbon bisulphide. 

 The fumes of carbon bisulphide kill all grubs and matured insects which may have 

 hidden themselves in the cases, and it^s believed that it also tends to destroy the 

 life in eggs which may have been laid in the boxes. Great care should be used, 

 however, in employing carbon bisulphide, as the fumes mingled with the oxygen 

 of the atmosphere form an explosive compound. The work should never be done 



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