44 THE NAUTILUS. 
Efforts in this line do not necessarily entail expense, but, they do 
call for more care and work than some people like to give. _Per- 
haps the first thing the collector thinks about after he has his spec- 
imens and has determined them, is of some arrangement whereby he 
can secure the safety and identity of the separate species, and on this 
account he casts his eyes around for trays or the bottom parts of 
boxes. Now there is abundance of boxes to be found but a scarcity 
of those that will suit his purpose, and so he frequently takes the 
best he can find and proceeds to form his collection with the original 
lot as a basis of supplies. 
This was at least, my experience. I tried druggists sundries 
houses and dealers in these supplies but I could never get the size, 
shape or color I desired, until I made up my mind to make them 
myself and in this way satisfy my requirements, to my own satisfac- 
tion. As several people have frequently commented on their neat 
appearance, and as the process is comparatively easy, I conceived 
the idea that it might be of use to others, in our chapter, I herewith 
give the modus operandi. 
My trays are all one half inch in depth, in width multiple of one 
half inch, viz.; 14, 3, 6inches, which I have found the largest size 
required ; in length, they run as follows 1,13, 2,23, 3, 4 and 6 inches. 
They are made from what are called 8-ply blanks,—a fine white 
smooth card board which I purchased cut to the various sizes from 
the Hasting Card Company, Beekman St., New York, at very nom- 
inal prices. The first operation is the gouging of the corners thus: 
(In this report, Mr. Gardner has three simple cards glued on his Ms., 
they are all 2 by 2 inches, and, are numbered 1,2 and 3. One half 
inch from the edge of the card numbered “ 1,” there are four corners 
marked in ink, making four right angles, these indicate the four lines 
to be scored with the knife, M. B. W.). Then with a sharp knife I 
score the lines from edge to edge half through, (No. 2) then cut out 
the corners and turn up the sides, the long ones first, (No. 3). The 
short sides are scored a trifle irregularly that they may lie evenly in 
the finished box and maintain the required size. (On each of the 
short sides allowance is made in order that they may stand up within 
the longer sides and make a perfect tray the same size top and 
bottom. The difference is about equal to the thickness of the card- 
board). 
I then rule a sheet of white paper with lines + inch apart in width, 
and 1 inch in length, fasten it with four pins to a board, and cover 
