174 
NOTE ON ENTOMOLOGICAL BOXES. 
By H. MAXWELL-LEFROY. 
Imperial Entomologist, Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, Bengal. 
In Parasitology, Vol. III. p. 486, there is a description by F. M. 
Hewlett of the paraffin boxes in use here for preserving pinned insects. 
As the description of these boxes is incomplete and not quite correct, it 
seems desirable to add a description which will enable others to make 
these boxes. We use teak boxes, of a standard size, well varnished 
within; when the varnish is dry, a piece of cork carpet cut to fit the 
box and previously enamelled white above, is laid ready to hand, a 
mixture of paraffin wax (melting point 136° F.) 80 "/o and flake naphtha¬ 
line 20 “/o is kept melted and a small quantity is run into the box; the 
cork carpet is at once put in, and rolled dovm on the melted mixture which 
sets and holds it; more of the liquid is then run in, sufficient to cover 
the cork completely; this sets with an even smooth surface (the box 
being on a perfectly horizontal surface), and the box is ready when cold. 
This method has not only been tried but we have nearly 2000 boxes in 
use and are replacing all our papered boxes. To all who may wish to 
preserve insects in one place I recommend these boxes, but they are too 
heavy if one is moving and for that a lighter paraffined box is required. 
Let me point out that the improvement in our method consists in 
replacing papered cork (which gets discoloured and requires preserva¬ 
tives) by paraffined cork which requires no poisoning, which keeps white 
and offers no harbourage to any insect. We have had these boxes in use 
for two rainy seasons and they have given complete satisfaction, without 
the addition of creasote or any preservative, and the surface remains 
white. 
