14 INTRODUCTION 



EQUIPMENT FOR COLLECTING INVERTEBRATES 



The equipment for collecting upon sandy beaches is a shovel, 

 a sieve, and a net. Numerous trials should be made with the 

 shovel from about half -tide mark to as deep as one cares to wade, 

 and the sand raised should be carefully searched for shells, crus- 

 taceans, and worms. By washing out the sand in the sieve the 

 smallest specimens, which might otherwise escape notice, may be 

 secured. On a rocky beach a strong knife and a net are suffi- 

 cient. It is well to have a number of homeopathic vials for small 

 specimens, which will be injured by contact with larger forms, 

 and jars for holding the general collection. 



PRESERVING INVERTEBRATES 



To preserve specimens, they should first be placed in a weak 

 solution of alcohol, the strength of which should be increased 

 gradually until the animal is entirely free from water and is 

 hardened throughout. If the alcohol becomes colored and sedi- 

 ment falls to the bottom of the jar, the animal is degenerating, 

 and the alcohol should be changed. Specimens for transporta- 

 tion can be packed by wrapping each one in a bit of cheese-cloth 

 and then placing them together in a large receptacle. Care 

 should be taken to keep the fragile specimens separate. Sand- 

 dollars possess a pigment which discolors and soon vitiates alcohol, 

 and consequently these should be separated from the other forms 

 and placed where the alcohol may be changed from time to time 

 as appears necessary. The homeopathic vials containing small 

 specimens may be put into the can without injury to the other 

 specimens. Special cans of various sizes, with handles and screw 

 covers, are made for naturalists. One of these cans is a con- 

 venient receptacle for carrying the alcohol to the station and 

 for receiving the collection for transportation. Careful notes 

 should be made on the spot of the conditions under which the 

 species are found. One is likely to forget details if this is de- 

 layed until one reaches home. Labels should be used, giving 

 name when known, or a number when the name is not known, 



