434 The Collection of Fishes 



exact studies of the bones is sure to take place. Generally 

 alcohol or other spirits (arrack, brandy, cognac, rum, sake 

 "vino") can be tested with a match. If sufficiently concen- 

 trated to be ignited, they can be safely used for preservation 

 of fishes. The best test is that of the hydrometer. Spirits 

 for permanent use should show on the hydrometer 40 to 60 

 above proof. Decaying specimens show it by color and smell 

 and the collector should be alive to their condition. One rot- 

 ting fish may endanger many others. With alcohol it is neces- 

 sary to take especial pains to ensure immediate saturation. 

 Deep cuts should be made into the muscles of large fishes as 

 well as into the body cavity. Sometimes a small distilling 

 apparatus is useful to redistil impure or dilute alcohol. The 

 use of formalin avoids this necessity. 



Small fishes should not be packed with large ones; small 

 bottles are very desirable for their preservation. All spinous 

 or scaly fishes should be so wrapped in cotton muslin as to 

 prevent all friction. 



Eternal Vigilance. The methods of treating individual 

 groups of fishes and of handling them under different climatic 

 and other conditions are matters to be learned by experience. 

 Eternal vigilance is the price of a good collection, as it is said 

 to be of some other good things. Mechanical collecting pick- 

 ing up the thing got without effort and putting it in alcohol 

 without further thought rarely serves any useful end in science. 

 The best collectors are usually the best naturalists. The col- 

 lections made by the men who are to study them and who are 

 competent to do so are the ones which most help the progress 

 of ichthyology. The student of a group of fishes misses half 

 the collection teaches if he has made no part of it himself. 



