bottles open at the same time, so that one may serve for
Crustacea, another for animals for dissection, another for
minute specimens, another for fish, always putting the latter
into the strongest spirit, xiny how it is absolutely necessary
to keep a couple of receiving bottles in whicli every
thing can at first be put, and afterwards transferred to the
permanent bottles with fresh spirits. Without assistance
from government, and plenty of room, it is most disheartening
work to attempt to bring home many specimens in
spirits, although without doubt in such a state they are very
far the most valuable. I should recommend any one
circumstanced as I was to preserve the skins only of larve
fish and reptiles. But with room and means at command,
let the collector place no limit to the number of his glass
jars. ^
With respect to the catalogues it is inconvenient to have
many ; but there must at least be two, one for the tin labels
or specimens in spirits, and another for the paper numbers,
which should be applied indiscriminately to every kind of
specimen. If the observer has any particular branch to
which he devotes much attention, a third catalogue exclusively
for such specimens is desirable: I kept a third for
geological specimens and fossils. In a like manner notes
should be as simple as possible: I kept one set for geology,
and another for zoological and all other observations. It is"
well to endeavour to write upon separate pages remarks on
aifferent specimens ; for much copying will thus be saved.
My journal was hkewise kept distmct from the other subjects.
I found an arrangement carried thus far very useful :
a traveller by land would, I suppose, be obliged to adopt a
still more simple plan.
Use arsenical soap* for all skins, but do not neglect to
brush the legs and beak with a solution of corrosive sublimate.
» S e ed s m u s t n o t b e s e n t h om e in th e s am e case w ith sk in s p r e p a r e d
w ith p o iso n , c am p h o r, o r e s se n tia l oils ; s carcely a n y o f m in e g e rm in a te d ,
.and P io fe s so r H en slow th in k s th e y we re th u s k illed .
Likewise slightly brush over all dried plants with the solution.
For collecting insects use a plain strong sweeping-net,
and pack the specimens of all orders, excepting lepidoptera,
between layers of rag in pill-boxes, placing at the bottom
a bit of camphor; this costs scarcely any trouble, and the
insects, especially thousands of unknown minute ones, arrive
in an excellent state. Take a good stock of chip pill-boxes—
a simple plain strong microscope, such as that long ago
described by Ellis—a good stock of lace-needles, with glass
tubes and sealingwax, for the purpose of making dissecting
instruments. I need not mention small collecting bottles
covered with leather, tin boxes, dissecting scissors, blow'pipe
case, compasses, mountain barometer, &c. I should recommend
a sort of work-box fitted up to hold watch-glasses,
glass micrometers, pins, string, printed numbers, &c.; and I
found a small cabinet with drawers, some lined with cork,
and others with cross partitions, most useful as a temporary
storehouse.
Pack up for shipment every specimen of every kind in
boxes lined with tinned plates, and soldered together: if the
case be large the specimens should further be packed into
light pasteboard or other boxes, for by long pressure even
skins of quadrupeds are injured. On no account whatever
put bottles with spirits of wine, though ever so well packed,
in the same case with other specimens, for if one should
break eveiy thing near it will be spoiled, as I found to my
cost in one instance.
When limited either in time, funds, or space, let not the
collector crowd too many specimens citlier into one bottle,
or into one case. For he should constantly bear in mind as
his second motto, that “ It is better to send home a few
things well preserved, than a multitude in a bad condition.”
As long as due steps are taken that the harvest may not be
spoiled, let him not be disheartened, because he may for a
long time be labouring by himself; let him work hard from
morning to night, for every day and every hour is precious
■' il'-