34 



NATURE STUDY 



moths and butterflies together, all the bees and wasps together, 

 all the flies together, etc. If some little expenditure of money 

 can be made (the cigar boxes cost practically nothing), have a 

 good carpenter make a number of shallow glass topped cases 

 according to the following directions: Make a shallow box 12 or 

 15 inches (inside) by 2 inches deep (inside) with tight joints, and 

 with a cover i inch deep, which fit together tightly by means of 

 groove and tongue; all joints should be as close as possible. 

 (There are certain small insects, so-called museum pests, which 

 feed on dried specimens, and the tight covers and perfect joints 

 of the insect case are necessary if these pests are to be kept out.) 

 Cover the bottom of the case with sheet cork or pith, and it is 

 ready for use. This kind of a case not only preserves the collec- 

 tion from the attack of museum pests, but allows the specimens 

 to be attractively displayed. 



All specimens should bear a small label the label should be 

 borne on the pin under the specimen give the locality and date 

 of capture. If most of the collecting is to be done in a single 

 locality small printed labels bearing the name of the locality and 

 with a blank space for writing in the date, are convenient. 



Collecting net, killing bottle, insect pins, setting board, 

 insect cases, and vials of alcohol, these are the apparatus necessary 

 for collecting and preserving insects for making an insect col- 

 lection. An expenditure of one dollar will suffice (if cigar boxes 

 are used for insect cases), to make a good beginning in the making 

 of a school room insect collection. 



Fig. 13. Cross-section ol setting-board. (After Comstocki. 



