Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books
A Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology

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silverfish

A small wingless, silvery insect, of the order Thysanura, and especially Lepisma saccharina, which flourishes in a damp environment, feeding on the glazed surfaces of photographs, and the starchy content of paper, board, and paste. It has done extensive damage to book collections in the past. It can be controlled by the use of proper fumigants, such as ethylene oxide, methyl bromide, hydrogen cyanide, etc.; however, as the use of these chemicals can be dangerous, a better procedure is to create a cool, dry environment which the insects cannot tolerate. See also:BOOKWORMS .




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