290 



ON COLLECTING SHELLS. 



showy genera are arranged in horizontal cases, and beneath 

 these are drawers made three inches deep so as to receive a glass 

 sash, which is locked in. By this method the contents of the 

 drawers, equally with those of the cases, may be viewed bj' 

 visitors to the Museum. 



The method of mounting and arranging shells practiced in that 

 institution will, it is believed, be found by amateurs the simplest 

 and best plan for them to pursue. Three inches is adopted as 

 the regular width of the paper trays which contain the specimens 

 and these trays are assorted of the following lengths: 1, 1^, 2, 

 2^, 3, 4, 6 inches ; besides these there are the supplemental sizes 

 4x6, 6x6, 6x9, 6x12, 9x9, 9x12, 12x12. In these trays are placed 

 blank labels, printed on fine, heavy card-board, made just enough 

 smaller than the trays to fit in them closely. The upper blank 

 space (which alone varies in size), is intended for the specimens, 

 the lines below (as indicated in the sample herewith given) are 

 for the scientific name, locality, and name of collector or person 

 from whom the specimens laave been received — all of which 

 should be carefully pyHnted with the pen. Patience and practice 

 will be necjessary to produce handsome labels. 



Helix hirsuta^ Say. 



Camden, 



Chas. F, Parker, 



W.J, 



To these cards the specimens are fixed by any good paste or 

 glue having plent}^ of body, care being taken that the shell has 

 no oil on the surface — which will prevent adhesion. The label 

 may be scratched, where it is intended to affix the specimen, for 

 the purpose of securing a better adhesion to the paper. A 

 mixture of yellow wax and pitch is an excellent medium and is 

 in use in the institution above named ; it has plent}^ of body and 

 is not attacked by insects, but requires to be melted for use. 

 Liquid glues and pastes are more convenient, but should be 

 poisoned with corrosive sublimate, or the appearance of your 

 cabinet will be ruined by museum pests. Considering the danger 

 of using a poisoned paste, it will be better to procure a glue-pot 

 fixed above an alcohol lamp, and use the wax and pitch mixture. 



In mounting a series of specimens choose a label of sufficient 

 size to display them without crowding, and attach them by such 

 parts that when complete the species shall be exhibited in different 



