MARCH. 47 



entomological excursion, to place such insects in as are 

 sufficiently large to pin when captured: the cork in 

 the tin ones should not be papered, as they are very 

 useful for keeping such insects as may be placed in 

 them in a relaxed state. It often happens that a col- 

 lector, during the busy summer season, captures a 

 number of Geometrce, Pyrales, large Tortrices, &c., 

 which are duly pinned and placed by the collector in 

 his pocket collecting-box ; the majority of them soon 

 become defunct: this often happens upon a hot July 

 day, when the heat of the weather and the warmth of 

 the pocket combined soon renders the dead specimens 

 too rigid for the collector to set out, on his return from 

 his entomological excursion : this inconvenience is obvi- 

 ated by the tin pocket collecting-box. Provide one or 

 more light tin boxes, hinged, and made to shut to- 

 gether in the same manner as the wooden ones, but as 

 tight as possible ; cork the bottom and top with smooth 

 cork, affixed with marine glue or patent liquid glue 

 (the latter is made by dissolving shellac in spirit of 

 wine until it becomes of the consistence of cream), as 

 these resist the action of water, and the box is com- 

 plete. 



When about to use it, fill it with water from some 

 spring or brook, close the lid, and give it a few turns 

 over, until you think the cork is sufficiently damp; 

 then turn the water out, and if there is any supera- 

 bundant moisture, remove it with your pocket hand- 

 kerchief, but do not dry it, and it is ready for use. 

 Insects placed in this box will after death be kept in a 

 relaxed state for a considerable time, and a good deal 



