MOUNTING OBJECTS IN CANADA BALSAM. 301 



loops may be cemented to any part of the inside of the box by 

 means of a piece of glass and a loop, of the size shown in 

 fig. 205. A small quantity of marine-glue 

 placed under the glass when it and the loop 

 have been properly adjusted, can be readily 

 Fig. 205. fixed by the application of a hot iron ; to make 

 the glass lie more evenly, a groove may be filed 

 in it suflSciently large to contain the end of the loop, and to 

 prevent the silk from being scorched during the operation of 

 cementing, it may be covered by another piece of glass, on 

 which the heated iron should not be placed. 



CHAPTEE VII. 



METHOD OF MOUNTING OBJECTS IN CANADA BALSAM. 



Preliminary Directions. — Before any object is mounted in 

 Canada bqjsam, it is necessary to see that it be perfectly clean 

 and free from all traces of moisture. Those specimens that 

 are likely to be moist should be carefully dried, or if they 

 be of such a nature that neither water nor spirit wiU injure 

 them the best plan is to give them a good wash in water, 

 and then to put them into proof spirit. After this they 

 may be taken out and laid in a proper position for drying, 

 which will take place much more speedily and effectually 

 with the spirit than with water. Other structures that are 

 greasy may be cleaned in the same way by the employment 

 of sulphuric »ther ; this latter plan is especially appHcable to 

 the cleaning of hairs of animals that are to be mounted either 

 in the dry way or in Canada balsam. Entire insects, or 

 parts of the sam^, may be cleansed by putting them to soak 

 in warm water, and by agitating them in it, by which means 

 most, if not all, of the dust and dirt will be washed off; they 

 may then be placed in spirits of wine, and at any convenient 



