143 



THE COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF THE 



HYDROIDA. 



By G. T. Harris. 



Communicated by C. J. IT. Sidwell. 

 {Bead April 22nd, 1913.) 



The Hydroida are too well known, as both beautiful and interesting 

 objects, to need any eulogy on my part. If they have received 

 less attention from the members of the Q.M.C. than some other 

 groups, it is probably due to the fact that the Hydroida evince 

 a decided and conservative preference for salt water, and show 

 no inclination whatever for the uneventful environment of 

 metropolitan ponds. Hence, those who would collect them must 

 seek them where they may be found, i.e. from tidal limits to as 

 many fathoms as the collector's means or stomach will allow. 



Bearing in mind that this paper is written more for the help 

 of the novice than as a communication offering original matter, 

 I would safeguard myself from any charge of carelessness by 

 warning the uninitiated that collecting, say, rotifers, and col- 

 lecting hydroids are two totally dissimilar things. Pond 

 collecting is a more or less safe and a very pleasant recreation ; 

 hydroid collecting is rarely enjoyable, and may be, by a little 

 carelessness, rendered adventurous. The one could be prosecuted 

 in a silk hat and a frock coat if desired, without seriously giving 

 the wearer away ; the costume best suited to the other tries the 

 loyalty of one's staunchest friend. Dredging is, perhaps, less 

 open to contumely than shore collecting ; the nature of the 

 operation secures to the collector a considerable measure of 

 privacy, while the examination of the spoil can be carried out 

 in attitudes familiar to oneself and those around. Shore collect- 

 ing permits of no compromise, and the positions most consonant 

 with successful collecting are mainly such as contribute materially 

 to the entertainment of the seaside visitor waiting to be 

 amused. 



I think it may be taken for granted that, in spite of its 



