554 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1887 



taken in applying this poison and in handling a specimen poisoned in 

 this way. Such specimens should be at once closed up tightly and put 

 on exhibition. 



Corrosive sublimate has been much used for poisoning and is a valu- 

 able agent. Several specimens in the Museum, which were poisoned 

 years ago with this substance, were so filled with it that they are dusty. 

 They are made of fur-skin, and are stiff and unpresentable for exhibi- 

 tion. I do not know what was the condition of the articles when they 

 were acquired ; they are, however, undeniably moth-proof. I have found 

 numerous adult moths destroyed in the act of laying their eggs. A care- 

 ful use of corrosive sublimate is very effective, if it is not brought in con- 

 tact with skins, as it coagulates albumen. It is also volatile, and Dr. G. 

 H. Beyer, U. S. Navy, has proposed to take advantage of this property 

 in preventing the growth of fungi on materia-medica specimens in jars. 

 One objection to corrosive sublimate is that it crystallizes out very 

 easily; this might be obviated by adding a little naphtha to the alco- 

 holic solution. 



Naphthaline is used by Mr. J. B. Smith, of the Museum, and by other 

 entomologists, to preserve insect collections from Acari, Psoci, Bermes- 

 tes, Anthreni, and other museum pests.* It destroys the two former, 

 but only tends to repel the others. It also acts as an antiseptic, de- 

 stroying schizomycetes, moulds, bacteria, etc. The salt is perfectly neu- 

 tral, is not poisonous to man, and is cheap. It is customary in this 

 department to put a small packet or cones in cases containing mounted 

 costumes. 



Vaseline may be called perfect grease, since it does not become ran- 

 cid or corrosive. It is especially useful to protect iron and steel from 

 rust, and no doubt would preserve woodwork from extraneous attack. 

 It is also good to soften leather which has become hard. In the case of 

 clubs, spears, and implements of hard wood, like those of Polynesia, a 

 fine polish may be obtained by using vaseline. I regard vaseline as a 

 good vehicle in which to apply white arsenic to skins, as is done with 

 arsenic soap. It penetrates very well, especially if thinned a little with 

 naphtha. Vaseline is also used on book-backs to soften them, to pre- 

 vent mould, and to keep insects away. 



A few recipes germane to this subject, and which may be useful in 

 other departments of the Museum, are appended: 



Mr. Hornaday has used arsenical soap prepared in the following 

 manner : 



White soap 2 pounds. 



Powdered white arsenic 2 do. 



Camphor 5 ounces. 



Suhcarbonate of potash 6 do. 



Alcohol 8 do. 



See p. 555. 



