now TO COLLECT AND PRESERVE INSECTS 21 



arc not bad if carefully watched, but better boxes can be purchased 

 at reasonable prices from dealers. Glass topped drawers are nice but 

 not necessary. Whatever sort of box is used, the bottom, inside, 

 should be covered with something which is soft enough to allow a pin 

 to enter easily but which will hold the pin when it is once in. The 

 compressed cork of the dealers is best. SUced cornstalk is used by 

 some beginners but two layers of corrugated paper, such as bottles 

 are packed in, is better than corn pith. The layers should be placed 

 so that the corrugations run at right angles to each other. 



In spite of precaution Dermestids may get in, although camphor 

 balls or flaked naphthalene will help to keep them out. If camphor 

 balls are used, first heat the head of an ordinary pin and while hot 

 push the head into the ball. When cool, it will be solid and the ball 

 can be pinned into the box. If Dermestids do get in they may 

 be killed by pouring into the box about a teaspoonful of carbon bi- 

 sulphide and closing the lid down tightly. Remember that the bi- 

 sulphide is very inflammable. 



PACKING INSECTS IN THE FIELD 



It frequently happens that the collector cannot attend to his 

 catch at once, or possibly for months. Of course those things which 

 are collected in alcohol may remain there. Butterflies and the Uke 

 should be put into triangular envelopes. The manner of making 

 these is shown in Fig. 12. Never put more than one specimen in an 

 envelope. Other insects can be packed between layers of cotton 

 and cheesecloth, with naphthalene flakes put in to keep out ants, etc., 

 or they can be put in saw^dust. In the latter case it is well to sprinkle 

 carbolic acid on the sawdust to prevent mold. An excellent method 

 of packing insects (except butterflies and moths) which are to be dried, 

 is to rnake tubes of unglazed paper around a lead pencil, first writing 

 the data on that part of the paper which comes outside. One end is 

 closed by folding in the paper there, and then the tube is nearly filled 

 with freshly killed insects. Finally the other end is closed by folding 

 in the paper. These tubes and the triangular envelopes can be packed 

 in a cigar box, and, if sprinkled with naphthalene to keep out ants 

 and Dermestids, will keep indefinitely. Never pack moist insects in a 

 tin box and never close even a wooden box tightly if there are many 

 moist insects in it. Mold will result if you do. 



