BULLETIN 39, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. [100] 



inch above the rim of the outside box. Over this x)rojecting lining^ 

 the lid closes as tightly as practicable and is kept from springing by 

 hooks and eyes. The bottom is cork-lined and covered with a fine^ 

 white, glazed paper. 



Similar folding boxes with both sides of equal depth and both lined 

 with cork, when properly covered, may be made to look like books and 

 be set on end in an ordinary bookcase, but the single lining is prefera- 

 ble, as there is less danger of the breakage of specimens and the boxes 

 may either be laid flat one on the other on shelves, or, what is more 

 convenient, placed side by side resting on the front edge, so that the 

 label is attached to one of the narrow ends. The rows of insects are 

 then pinned crosswise, not lengthwise, of the box, with the abdomens 

 turned toward the front which rests on the shelf. 



All the boxes are furnished with neat brass label-holders, in which 

 a card containing a list of the contents can readily be placed and 

 removed at pleasure. The chief demerit of this box which I have en- 

 deavored to overcome by the above details is the tendency to warjD and 

 crack in the trying steam heat of our Government buildings. 



The Cabinet. — For larger insects, such as Lepidoptera, Keuroptera, 

 etc., a larger box is desirable, and for these orders I have adopted 

 for use in the I^ational Museum a cabinet which resulted from a careful 

 study in person of the different forms and patterns used for entomologi- 

 cal collections both in this country and Europe, whether by private in- 



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Tig. 118.— Construction of insect cabinet drawer of the ^'ational Miiseiim. A. cioss-sectiou/ front; 

 B, same/ side ; C. view of front end of side, f natural size (original). 



dividuals or public institutions. The drawer and cabinet are essen- 

 tially after the pattern of those used in the British (South Kensington) 

 Museum, but adapted in size to our own requirements. In the use of the 

 National Museum these cabinets have proved eminently well adapted 

 to their object. 



