104 MATERIALS. 



as to avoid loss of time. The best box is an ordinary 

 yellow pine entomological box, such as sold by any 

 naturalists. A handy size of box is 15 in. x 10 in. x 

 5 J in, outside sizes. The lids of these boxes fit closely 

 on to a strip of wood along the inside of the box, 

 making an almost air-tight joint, which effectually 

 keeps out moths. Care must, of course, be exercised 

 to see that insects are not introduced with the materials 

 stored. If any feathers or other materials are doubtful, 

 or have been obtained' from even a doubtful source, 

 they should be dipped in benzine, or washed with 

 carbolic soap and lysol, and then rinsed in clean water 

 and carefully dried. By adopting these precautions, 

 we have, so far, entirely escaped insect ravages. 



An arrangement, as shown by the illustration 

 (Plate 14), will be found to amply repay the trouble 

 involved in fitting it up. The left hand compartment 

 holds about one hundred envelopes, alphabetically 

 arranged, containing small feathers, dubbing, etc., the 

 nature of the contents being written in the top left- 

 hand corner in bold letters. The centre compartment 

 accommodates foolscap envelopes for condor, turkey, 

 and other feathers and wings too large to go in the 

 smaller envelopes ; twenty is a handy number of 

 these. At the back, on the right-hand side of the box, 

 are three small trays, containing hooks, wax, tying 

 silks, tinsel, and other details. The centre compart- 

 ment at the end contains a number of winders, made 

 of thin wood for holding wools ; and rafifia grass for 

 bodies ; and the two small front compartments contain , 



