50 NATURALISTS’ ASSISTANT. 
next comes the generic, and then the specific ; the insects 
belonging to the species are then extended in a transverse 
row and following them on the left of the case, comes the 
next specific label and so on. Some have adopted a method 
of showing the geographical distribution of forms at a glance 
by the color of the label, and in geological collections the 
“age” by the same method, but it is doubtful if it repays 
the extra trouble involved. 
Labels can be obtained of ‘‘regular’’ sizes of most dealers 
in naturalists’ supplies at a cheaper rate than they can be 
produced by local printers. | Generic and specific names for 
labelling certain groups of insects are also kept on sale and — 
well repay the cost. 
Catalogues are important, though some of the largest mu- 
seums almost wholly dispense with them. ‘The best results 
follow the use of the double system employing both books 
and cards. Ina book prepared for the purpose, each speci- 
men is entered as received, with all possible information. 
For this the books should be ruled in columns for the fcllow- 
ing entries: original number, current number, number of 
specimens, name, sex and age, where collected, when col- 
lected, by whom collected, donor, remarks. A number is 
then affixed to the specimens corresponding to the entry in 
the book catalogue. Sheets of printed numbers for this 
purpose are kept for sale by dealers in naturalists’ supplies. 
Where possible, parchment numbers should be used and tied 
to the specimen. Even better than parchment is the method, 
which is now extensively adopted, of stamping the number 
on sheet zinc with the steel punches which may be bought at 
