ABSTRACT
This is really a very important matter seldom estimated at its proper value. An instrument should lie or stand in its case in such a manner as its most solid parts only take the bearing surface, and thus perfectly secure it. When this is effected there should be no exceptional jar on any delicate part from the jolting of the conveyance of the instrument. Great care should be taken to note how the parts of the instrument were originally arranged by the packer, and this arrangement should always be followed in replacing the instrument in its case to its position, into which it should fall with perfect ease. Instruments are frequently strained by being placed wrongly in their cases. Even with all these precautions, particularly in tropical climates, the wood of the case may shrink or warp to a certain extent, so that the instrument may be exposed to external pressure from closing the case or otherwise, so as to injure it or to spoil its adjustment. In such cases it is better to examine the packing occasionally, and, if the case does not easily and perfectly close, there is risk that the instrument is being strained. If this is the case, assuming the instrument is in its correct position, the bearing surfaces should be lowered with the pen-knife or other tool, so that it is just free but will not shake. It is better to have a piece of cork under the bearing surface, this gives a certain amount of elasticity, with sufficient rigidity for support, to preserve the instruments from injurious jar. If the cork is originally placed on the bearing surfaces, it may be afterwards cut away more easily with the pen-knife than the wood.
