COLLECTING IMPEDIMENTA FOR A TRIP ABROAD. 101 



few longer ones for an odd Bombycid or Sphinf(id. A small mustard or 

 cocoa tin quite full of "doll's pins," a "spanner," and a sheet of " tracin"- 

 paper " complete this part of the apparatus. These are placed with the 

 remainder of the nested glass-bottomed boxes inalarge satchel. Skttiny;- 

 CASE. — My setting-case is rather primitive — opens like an ordinary 

 store-box, is just long enough to take the setting-boards sold by Don- 

 caster and Crockett, the setting-boards have about a quarter of an inch 

 of the cork taken off at each end. Inside one end of the box a slip of 

 woodisfixed,leavingjustspaceenough under it to slip one of the cut ends 

 of the boards, at the opposite end is a similar slip (working on a nail 

 almost driven home) which goes down on the other cut ends and is then 

 fastened by a flat brass catch fixed in the edge of box and turning over 

 the slip that falls on the ends of the boards. The other side is similar, 

 but the two pieces that hold the setting-boards in position are fixed 

 down half an inch below the edge of the box, so that a corked piece of 

 wood exactly the size of the l)Ox (inside) falls on them. This is held in 

 place by two little hooks, and is used for set insects if wanted. The 

 ends of the box have a piece of perforated zinc let in them. I bought 

 this at one of the dealers' shops about 15 years ago, and have no doubt 

 similar (and probably l^etter) ones can now be obtained. Store-boxes. — 

 For packing I have double-boxes, that is, two store-boxes as it were 

 placed back to back, by which one of the thicknesses of the wood is 

 done away with centrally. Topp, of Reading, made my last ones. 

 Doncaster and Crockett, I believe, also make them. If this and the 

 setting-case are made of the same size their carriage is easy — one strap 

 does for both. One of these boxes should be enough for a month's 

 captures if one is going on a holiday tour and wants to see places as 

 well as catch insects. I never let this box nor my setting-case into 

 anyone's keeping after the insects begin to be packed. Setting- 

 boards. — I generally pack a few spare ones flat on my clothes, one each 

 side of the Gladstone, just before closing it, they will travel equally 

 well in the store-box whilst the latter is empty. Small Tin Boxes. — 

 About two dozen 1" diameter and 1^" high to post home with larv;T^, 

 eggs, living 5 s, &c. Lens. — A good lens and the two-thirds belonging to 

 my microscope. Note-book. — A small note-book and pencil. Forceps 

 must be used for close packing. 



The important point in travelling abroad is, if possible, to have no 

 more luggage than you can carry yourself at a pinch. There are times 

 when the methods of porters and facteurs are intolerable, and then one 

 must be able to pick up his baggage and walk. I never like to have 

 more than three packages — my satchel, which I can sling over my 

 shQulder, my setting-case and store-box strapped together, and, lastly, 

 my Gladstone. If a porter doesn't move quickly enough, then, to 

 please me, I say polite things to him, and carry my things myself. 

 Until I actually went abroad to collect I had an impression that the 

 trouble and expense were overwhelming. The flrst cost (for railway 

 fare) is, of course, necessarily a rather large outlay, though one can go 

 to Switzerland and back as cheaply as to outlying parts of the British 

 Islands. The average hotel expenses vary from 5^ francs to 7 francs 

 (4s. 6d. — 6s.) once you are there, and if you are inclined to settle down 

 for a few days in the same place and live en pciisio)!. Once having paid 

 your fare, you can, if you do things for yourself, manage excellently on 

 an outlay of 40s. to 45s. per week per per.son. I am not prepared, 



