Idi Mr. Ffembly on some species of Chitones 



this proceeding is at all times advisable, when it is possible to put 

 it into execution, as by it a specimen may be removed without the 

 assistance of a knife or injury to the margin, which in this genus 

 foi'ms an importJint character, a-s well as adds beauty to the spe- 

 cies; whereas by endeavouring immediately to detach them, con- 

 siderable force is often requisite, and without great care in the use 

 of the knife the margin will suffer by the attempt. 



The haunts of some of the species will not admit of this mode 

 of capture, especially of those found in the fissures of rocks; these 

 notwithstanding may be taken without mutilation of the margin, 

 by taking care not to touch the animal before the knife is inserted 

 tinder the shell; this being done, if the knife be quickly turned, 

 it will easily remove the specimen : not touching the animal until 

 the moment of capture, is a very necessary precaution in collecting 

 fell the large species, as their adhesion is so strong that they not 

 unfrequently part with a portion of their shells rather than let go 

 their hold : but in a quiescent state, or before they are conscious 

 of danger, their attachment is very slight. 



The collecting box I have been in the habit of using, was a 

 rectangular one of wood, which I thoroughly wetted on the inside. 

 Immediately after a specimen was taken, its flat surface was ap- 

 plied to the bottom or sides of the box, to which in most cases it 

 adhered, especially if it had been taken from a smooth aiid flat 

 surface : in this position the animals were suffered to die. The space 

 immediately surrounding them soon becoming dry, they mostly 

 remained steady in the place they first attached themselves to. 

 It appears advisable not to let one specimen touch another, as they 

 are apt to crawl over each other when conscious of their proximity. 

 Although this manner of collecting I have found from experience 

 to be the best, yet in many cases it may not be convenient. They 

 should, however, as soon as possible after being conveyed home, be 

 put into a good sized flat vessel, with a little sea water in it ; and 

 if they have not been long taken, or, the animal much injured, 

 they generally expand themselves to their natural positions, and 

 remain adhering to the vessel until life becomes extinct. I have 

 also found in some cases, when circumstances have not allowed 

 me to attend to them presently after collecting, and they have 



