- 22 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



of .8 cm ( T \ in.) stuff. The covering glass 27.7x35.5 cm (iofxi^J in.) 

 fits into a rabbet .5X.8 cm (-ftxfc in.), and is held down closely on 



paper. This case can be made by anyone having some skill with car- 

 penter's tools, and if well constructed is very rarely troubled by pests, 

 the lead apparently being obnoxious to them. 



For the display of butterflies and moths, a larger case, preferably a 

 horizontal tray, is desirable. In adopting a large drawer it is well to 

 select a size uniform with those used in museums and to insist on the 

 trays being interchangeable. One of the best insect cases is the form 

 adopted by the late Dr Riley for the United States national museum. 

 It is 45.5 cm (18 in.) square and has an outside depth of 7.6 cm (3 in.). 

 The sides and back are .9 mm (fin.) and the front of 1.6 cm (fin.) 

 stuff, while the bottom is composed of three ply cross-grained veneer in 

 order to prevent checking. The back and side pieces are dovetailed 

 and the bottom fitted into a groove. Inside of the outer frame is a 

 secondary box of 3 mm (f in.) whitewood, closely fitted and held 6 mm 

 (j in.) from back and sides and 9 mm (f in.) from the front by blocks. 

 The space between the two boxes is used for insecticides, usually naphtha- 

 line, and the 6 mm (| in.) tongue of the cover, a frame 1.9 cm (J in.) 

 wide and 9 mm (f in.) thick holding a single thick glass, fits tightly into 

 the space between the outer and inner box. The first lot was made of 

 California redwood with a cover frame of mahogany, but those made 

 later are of cheaper materials ; basswood or whitewood is good. These 

 trays are made to slide on a groove. The outside of the case may be 

 left its natural color, but the inside should be lined with white paper or 

 painted with zinc white. Professor Comstock recommends a paint 

 formed by dissolving one part by weight of glue in five of water, thick- 

 ening to the consistency of paint with zinc white, and applying while 

 warm. 



For the Cornell university collection, Professor Comstock has adopted a 

 case with both top and bottom composed of glass. Its outside dimen- 

 sions are 40.6x48.2x7.6 cm (16x19x3 in.) and the covers are both dove- 

 tailed and mitered. The top and bottom of the case are alike, except 



Fro. 26 Insect ease much used by Dr Limner (original). 



the tea lead with 

 glazier's triangles. 

 The cork lining the 

 bottom is covered 

 with white paper 

 and the whole out- 

 side with manila 



