186 TWENTY- SIXTH REPORT ON THE STATE MUSEUM. 



of the frame is covered with tin-foil, made as smooth as possible before 

 application, to be applied with thoroughly-boiled flour paste (in which 

 a small proportion of arsenic may be mixed), and rubbed smoothly 

 down to the removal of the blisters which are apt to appear. The 

 tin-foil can be purchased, by weight, at druggists, and the sheets 

 marked off and cut by a rule in strips of proper width, allowing for 

 a trifle of overlapping on the sides. Its cost per case is merely 

 nominal. 



First quality single-thick glass for sides must be selected, wholly 

 free from rust, air-bubbles, veins or any blemish. Such glass can be 

 purchased at fifteen cents a pane. The lower glass, after thorough 

 cleaning, especially of its inner surface, with an alkaline wash, and a 

 final polishing with slightly wetted, blank printing paper, is to be 

 firmly secured in its place by a proper number of tin points; the 

 upper glass is but temporarily fastened. The binder must be directed 

 to cover the exposed sides of the frame with " combed " paper, bring- 

 ing it over the border of the permanent lower glass and beneath the 

 removable upper glass. 



The covers of the volume are of heavy binder's board (No. 18), 

 neatly lined within with glazed white paper. On the inside of one 

 of the lids may be Attached, by its corners, a sheet with the numbers 

 and names of the species contained in the case, or these may be 

 placed on the pin bearing the insect. If bound in best quality of 

 imitation morocco, with cloth sides, lettered and gilded on the back, 

 the cost (for a dozen cases) need not exceed $1 each. If in half Tur- 

 key-morocco, it will be $1.50. 



The lettering and ornamentation of the back will vary with the 

 taste of the individual. The family designations may be permanently 

 lettered, or they may be pasted on the back, on a slip of paper or 

 gum-label, as are the generic names, thus permitting the change of 

 the contents of a case at any time, if desired. 



The bits of cork to which the insects are to be pinned are cut in 

 quarter-inch squares from sheet-cork of one-fourth of an inch in thick- 

 ness. If the trouble be taken to trim off the corners, giving them an 

 octagonal form, their appearance will be materially improved, and 

 much less care would be required in adjusting them symmetrically 

 on the glass. 



The cement usually recommended for attaching the cork to the 

 glass is composed of equal parts of white wax and resin. My expe- 

 rience with this has not been favorable, for, after the lapse of a few 



