188 TWENTY-SIXTH REPORT ON THE STATE MUSEUM. 



and at their proper distances, are to be drawn, and cross lines equal 

 in number to the insects contained in the rows. The distances of 

 these lines will be uniform, unless smaller specimens are to occupy 

 some portion of the case, when they may be graduated to the required 

 proportion. With the sheet ruled in this manner and placed beneath 

 the glass, the points where the corks are to be applied are indicated 

 by the intersection of the lines. The sheet, marked with the family 

 of the insects for which it was used, and, with the numbers desig- 

 nating its divisions, may be laid aside for future use in the prepara- 

 tion of other cases for which it may be suitable. In a series of 

 unbound cases in my collection, in which the glasses measure 11 x 

 14J inches, I have used for my Lepidoptera and laid aside the follow- 

 ing scales, the citation of which will also serve to show the capacity 

 of the cases : 3 x 8, Catocalas ; 2 x 7 and 3x9, Sphingidae ; 4 x 11 to 

 4x14, Bombycidse; 5x13 to 6 x 16, Noctuidae ; 8x16 and 8x20, 

 Lycaenidse and Tortricidae. 



The unbound cases above referred to are inexpensive frames, made 

 by myself, of quarter-inch white wood or pine, the corners mitred, 

 glued and nailed with three-quarter inch brads, lined within with 

 white paper (better with tin-foil), and covered without with stout 

 manilla paper. The glasses are cut of the exact size of the frame, 

 and, when placed in position thereon, are appressed closely to it by 

 laying upon them, near each corner, a heavy weight (the weights 

 used by me are four-inch granite cubes, weighing nearly seven pounds 

 each, which are sufficient to overcome the curvature of the glass) ; strips 

 of an enameled green paper cut to the width of one inch, are pasted 

 over the edges of the glass, extending a little beyond the thickness 

 of the frame, and brought downward over the sides of the frame. 

 On its front, two gum-labels, indicating the insects inclosed, are placed 

 at heights respectively of seven and twelve inches, when, if all has 

 been neatly done, the cases present a tasteful appearance upon a 

 shelf. When there is reason to believe that the case will need to be 

 opened for the change or addition of specimens, it will be found con- 

 venient to employ, for the fastening of the upper left-hind side of the 

 upper glass, paper lined with a thin muslin, to serve as a hinge when 

 the other sides have been cut. 



Should it become desirable to bind these cases, outside frames may 

 be constructed after the plans above given, with the omission of the 

 inside quarter-inch (the equivalent of these frames), in which these 

 may be plaped and held in position by two or three screws inserted 

 in their sides. 



