38 
INDIA AND CEYLON 
good stationer; I get about half-a-dozen books at a time; it is 
convenient to have 25 lines to a page, and each book should give 
space for 2000 specimens. I usually prepare my note-books, enter¬ 
ing the index-numbers, on the voyage out. A wholesale stationer 
will cut the papers of required sizes for a very small charge. It 
is well to order some thousands at once, of three or four sizes—the 
largest number of the size mentioned above. The paper should be 
of medium stiffness, unglazed, slightly absorbent, yet suitable for 
writing upon. I make it a practice to fold, each day, those that will 
be wanted for the morrow, so that nothing should delay the desirable 
early start. Skippers, stout-bodied moths, Micros, and flies are best 
pinned, but in travelling make a point of always carrying boxes 
containing pinned specimens yourself. Smaller beetles and Aculeates 
may be put in screws of tissue paper, bearing the data. Orthoptera 
may be made into rolls like cigarettes: it is easier to tie up such 
rolls with Berlin-wool than with cotton or string, as it does not 
slip. Remember always that good data are almost as valuable as 
the specimens to which they are attached, some think even 
more so. 
The envelopes containing butterflies are best packed in cigar 
boxes (wooden, never tin*); such as hold fifty cigars are of a convenient 
size. They should be packed just tightly enough not to shake about, 
and a small quantity of naphthalene crystals put in each box. The 
boxes should be wrapped in brown paper, with label tied on; more¬ 
over the labels should have some cotton or linen basis so as not to 
tear easily when wet. I either register or insure (for 5s. each parcel) 
1 Insects sent borne in tin-boxes are very liable to mould. Some collectors, in 
especially damp localities, have found it necessary before packing insects to dry them 
artificially (over a lamp). 
