74 THE SEA SBO&E 



chloride of zinc about one ounce to the pint of water. This is 

 considered by some to be one of the best fluids for keeping animal 

 structures in good condition. 



Now, although the different fluids here mentioned are described 

 in connection with the temporary preservation of natural objects, 

 it must be remembered that they are equally adapted for the per- 

 manent preservation of the animals and plants that are to figure in 

 the museum of the sea- side naturalist ; and, although some marine 

 objects may be preserved in a dry state in a manner to be hereafter 

 described, yet there are many species of animals, and also some 

 plants, that can be satisfactorily preserved only by immersion in a 

 suitable fluid. 



This method may be applied to all soft-bodied animals, such as 

 anemones, jelly-fishes, marine worms, shell-less molluscs (sea slugs, 

 cephalopods, &c.), the soft parts of shelled molluscs, fishes, &c. ; 

 and most sponges retain their natural appearance much better in a 

 preservative fluid than in a dry condition. Many sea-weeds also, 

 which are practically destroyed by the most careful drying process, 

 are most perfectly preserved in fluid. 



But the puzzled amateur will probably be inclined to ask : 

 ' Which is the best preservative liquid for this or that specimen ? ' 

 No satisfactory general rule can be given in answer to such a 

 question, and a great deal will have to be determined by his own 

 experiments and observations. Whenever he has two or three 

 specimens of the same object, as many different fluids should be 

 employed, and the results compared and noted. In this way a very 

 great deal of useful information will be obtained and by the best 

 possible means. However, it may be mentioned that all the fluids 

 alluded to above may be safely used for almost every animal or vege- 

 table specimen with the following reservations : strong spirit should 

 not be employed for any very soft animal, nor should it be used for 

 delicate green plants, since it will dissolve out the green colouring 

 matter (chlorophyll), leaving them white or almost colourless. 

 Further, the greatest care should be exercised in dealing with sea 

 anemones and jelly-fishes. If spirit is used for preserving these 

 creatures, it should be very dilute, at least at first, but may with 

 advantage be increased in strength afterwards, though this should 

 be done gradually. 



Whatever be the preservative used, it is sure to be more or less 

 charged with sedimentary and coloured matter extracted from the 

 object immersed in it ; hence, if the specimen concerned is to form 



