PRESERVATION OF MUSEUM SPECIMENS. 



557 



a slot (Fig. 2a) that is to be filled with water to prevent escape of gas. 

 The tank should be set out in the open air if possible. The size of the 

 tank used here is 3 by 2 by 2 feet, and it has handles on the ends and on 

 the lid. (Fig. 2.) 





Fig. 2a. Showing adjustment of lid of tank. 



Fig. 2. Galvanized sheet-iron tank. 



Shaw and Geary No. 2 air compressor (cost $15), and four-nozzle 

 gutta-percha atomizer, cost $2.50. These are found necessary only 

 when much spraying is to be done. 



Stock solution jar, jar for mixed solution, benzine jar or jug, gradu- 

 ate, 1 pint; glass funnel, 3 paint brushes, not too large; several stone- 

 ware jars with closely fitting lids for smaller specimens. With good- 

 sized jars, or even a closely-joined box, the galvanized tank may be 

 dispensed with, especially when benzine is to be used. 



The poison tags should not be large. They are convenient for show- 

 ing whether specimens are poisoned or not, and when, and are some- 

 times a good test whether they are well poisoned. They may be printed 

 with death's-head and word "poisoned," with space for date and mu- 

 seum number. 



The long established " Museum standard" cases are provided with 

 beadjand groove (Figs. 3 and 4) which effectually exclude dust and in- 

 sects, the two worst foes of museum collections. In putting up perish- 



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Fig. 3. Section across back of door. 



Fig. 4. Section across junction of door. 



able specimens permanently in the glazed Museum unit boxes, etc., the 

 backs are made of tin, and to guard against the minute, insinuating, 

 newly-hatched moth larva, the junction of the lid with the sides is 

 pasted over with strips of paper or muslin with glue, poisoned with 

 corrosive sublimate or arsenic. This, with naphthaline cones inside, is 

 the highest triumph of the preservation of museum specimens. 



