98 



784, 785. THE MARX TRAY FOR ALCOHOLIC SPECIMENS. 



In this methed the vials are stored in a wooden tray, the top piece 

 of which has a cork center in which holes corresponding' to the size of 

 the vials are made with a punch. The trays are labeled on the outer 

 end, and numbers of them may be stored together on shallow shelves, 

 and the whole inclosed in a cabinet. Special vials are used, which 

 flare slightly at the top to prevent their sliding through the holes of 

 the upper part of the tray. 



Insect boxes. 



For the storage of insects both temporarily and in permanent collec- 

 tions a great variety of boxes are used, and also extensive cabinets or 

 drawers. Two styles used in the work of the Division of Entomology 

 are exhibited. 



786. THE FOLDING- INSECT BOX. 



This box is of white pine, shellacked and varnished, the bottom and 

 top of double crossgrain to prevent warping, and lined inside with a 

 thin white-wood strip projecting above the rim of the outside of the 

 box, so that the lid in closing over this strip forms a very tight-fitting 

 cover and prevents the ingress of museum pests. The bottom is cork- 

 lined and covered with a fine white-glazed paper. The advantages of 

 this box are, that its position on the shelves can be readily changed, 

 and that it is convenient for handling. 



787. THE CABINET INSECT-DRAWER. 



This drawer is designed for the cabinets used in the Department of 

 Agriculture and the IT. S. Natioual Museum for orders of insects 

 which have been pretty well worked over and put into permanent shape. 

 The construction of this drawer is somewhat complicated, as it is de- 

 signed to protect collections absolutely from museum pests. A prom- 

 inent feature is that the space between the outer and inner walls of 

 the box, between which the tongue of the cover fits, is charged with 

 some insecticide, such as napthaline, which insures the death of any 

 insect which may succeed in gaining a partial entrance to the drawer. 

 This drawer is employed in the insect displays of this exhibit. 



