[Illustration FIG. 69.--Detail drawing of drawer for cabinet: _e_, _e_, ends; _b_, bottom; _c_, cork; _p_, _p_, paper strips in corners of lid to exclude dust; _g_, _g_, glass of cover, held in place by top strips, _s_, _s_; _m_, _m_, side pieces serving as rabbets on inside; _po_, pocket in ends and sides, sawn out of the wood; _x_, opening through the rabbet into this pocket; _y_, holes through the paper lining, _p^1_, allowing fumes of naphthaline to enter interior of drawer; _f_, front; _k_, knob; _o_, lunette cut in edge of the top piece to enable the lid to be raised by inserting the fingers.]
Some persons prefer to have the bottoms as well as the tops of the drawers in their cabinets made of glass. In such cases the specimens are pinned upon narrow strips of wood covered with cork, securely fastened across the inside of the drawers. This arrangement enables the under side of specimens to be examined and compared with as much freedom as the upper side, and without removing them from the drawers; but the strips are liable at times to become loosened, and when this happens great havoc is wrought among the specimens if the drawer is moved carelessly. Besides, there is more danger of breakage.
Another way of providing a cheap and very sightly lining for the bottom of an insect-box is illustrated in Fig. 70. A frame of wood like a slate-frame is provided, and on both sides paper is stretched. To stretch the paper it ought to be soaked in water before pasting to the frame; then when it dries it is as tight and smooth as a drum-head.
The beginner who has not a long purse will do well to preserve his collections in boxes such as have been described. They can be obtained quite cheaply and are most excellent. Cabinets are more or less of a luxury for the amateur, and are only a necessity in the case of great collections which are constantly being consulted. The boxes may be arranged upon shelves. Some of the largest and best collections in the world are preserved in boxes, notably those of the United States National Museum.
[Illustration FIG. 70.--_A_, _A_, side and bottom of box; _B_, frame fitting into box; _C_, space which must be left between frame and bottom of box; _P_, _P_, paper stretched on frame.]