110 CAKE OF A COLLECTION. 



about two feet long by about a foot wide ; and one or two 

 tiers of deeper trays. There are about forty thousand cubic 

 inches in such a cabinet, of which perhaps one-tenth is occu- 

 pied with woodwork ; and I should judge that some eight or 

 ten thousand hummingbirds, for instance (and other birds in 

 proportion), could be accommodated in layers, a single bird 

 deep. Be this as it may, I have kept all the birds, excepting a 

 few of the largest, that I ever cared to have at my elbow at 

 any one time, in one cabinet of such dimensions. 



§58. To DESTROY BUGS. In our present case prevention 

 is not the best remedy, simply because it is not always practi- 

 cable ; in spite of all mechanical precautions the bugs will get 

 in. "We have, therefore, to see what will destroy them, or at 

 least stop their ravages. It is a general rule that any pun- 

 gent aromatic odor is obnoxious to tliem, and that any very 

 light powdery substance restrains their movements by getting 

 into the joints and breathing pores. Both these qualities are 

 secured in the ordinary " insect powder," to be had of any lead- 

 ing druggist. It should be lavishly strewn on and among the 

 skins, and laid in the corners of the drawers and trays. Thus 

 used it proves highly effective, and is on the whole the most 

 eligible substance to use when a collection is being constantly 

 handled. Camphor is a valuable agent. Small fragments may 

 be strewn about the drawers, or a lump pinned in mosquito 

 netting in a corner. Benzine is a;lso very useful. A small 

 saucer full may be kept evaporating, or the liquid may be 

 sprinkled — even poured — directly over the skins ; it is very vol- 

 atile and leaves little or no stain. It is, however, obviously 

 ineligible when a collection is in constant use. My friend Mr. 

 Allen informs me he has used sulphide of carbon with great 

 success. The objection to this agent is, that it is a stinking 

 poison ; should be used in the open air, to escape the ineffa- 

 bly disgusting and deleterious odors, and its employ is prob- 

 ably restricted to cases for storage. When the bill or feet 

 show they are attacked, further depredation may be prevented 

 by pencilling with a strong solution of corrosive sublimate ; a 



