126 ANATOMICAL TECHNOLOGY. 



306. Corks should be used only for brief transportation or temporary storage. The 

 best of them are insufficient barriers against, either evaporation or leakage, and the poorer 

 ones should not be used at all with specimens. Corks may be rendered more secure by 

 soaking in oil, or covering with Brunswick black, or with a solution of paraffine in ben- 

 zine, benzole, or turpentine. Rubber stoppers are sometimes used. 



307. Glass Dishes and Boxes. The anatomist has use for glass dishes of almost every 

 size. A few sizes are kept in stock by Messrs. Berge (A, No. 257), and Whitall, Tatum & 

 Co. (A, No. 2265). Covers for them may be cut from window glass, or these or other 

 sizes may be ordered to have the edges ground for the reception 

 of covers ground near the edge. 



The covered box shown in Fig. 31 is very useful for the hard- 

 ening of brains and other small specimens. The largest fdze ad- 

 vertised by the firms above mentioned (Nos. 202 and 2590) has a 

 capacity of nearly 500 cc., and costs $3.80 per dozen. 



The covers of these boxes and dishes do not fit accurately, and 

 their contents should be under constant supervision. 



308. Metal Boxes. As the name implies, the box usually 

 differs from the jar or the can in its relatively greater horizontal 

 q-| ri n pvR^p, extent and in having a cover which is coextensive with the box, 

 GLASS Box x 25 an ^ * s rea dity removed and replaced. The accessibility of the 

 o oQg ' contents thus compensates partly for the evaporation of the alco- 



hol which must occur in some degree. The cover should fit 



closely and have a wide flange, but such a box should be under constant supervision. 

 Large boxes should be supported by an outer box of wood. 



For the preservation of cats while under occasional examination, a box of galvanized 

 iron may be 60 cm. long, 40 wide, and 25 deep. An entire cat may rest in it lengthwise, 

 and either the cephalic or caudal half crosswise. Around the inside, half way from Ihe 

 bottom, extends a ledge on which may be laid a metal plate perforated with holes 2-3 

 cm. in diameter. On this plate may be placed a second tier of specimens, which are thus 

 kept from pressing upon those at the bottom. If preferred, the bottom may contain only 

 alcohol, the vapor of which will suffice for the keeping of the specimens upon the plate, 

 provided they have been already thoroughly saturated with alcohol. The box may be 

 supported upon bosses or upon short movable legs. The cost of such a box is $4-$5. 



309. Exhibition or Permanent Storage. For these purposes, 

 and for transportation occupying more than a month, alcoholic 

 specimens can be safely entrusted only to tightly closing vessels of 

 glass, copper, zinc or galvanized iron. Of course, glass must be 

 used for exhibition ; it is also cheaper than metal for tightly closing 

 vessels, provided the risk of breakage is not regarded. 



310. Metal Cans. Three kinds of metal cans are useful in connection with alco- 

 holic specimens. For bringing alcohol from the barrel, and for containing the supply for 

 current use, the ordinary five-gallon oil can is well adapted, especially if provided with a 

 faucet from which the alcohol may be drawn into jars without lifting or tipping the can. 

 Thp small gallon or half-gallon can is desirable for pouring the alcohol into small vials. 

 These cans may be made of tin, but copper is more secure. 



Screw-top Cans. For the permanent storage of alcoholic specimens, especially if occa- 

 sional moving is necessary, copper cans with screw-tops are desirable. They are more 



