the Caribcean Islands, 407 



tentacula of radiated animals, where they seemed to be well re- 

 ceived. Probably, like the Pinnotheres^ they are mutually ser- 

 viceable in the capture of food. 



It may be useful in this place to caution the collectors of CrtiS" 

 tacea against killing the specimens they procure too suddenly : 

 the marine species should be allowed to die quietly in a little sea 

 water exposed to the sun. If thrown into spirit, they commonly 

 cast oflf their arms or legs. The colour of the ova, the eyes, and 

 crust should be noted down, or it will be unsafe to describe from 

 specimens dried or changed by spirit. When this cannot be done, 

 uncoloured figures are infinitely preferable, from the perishable 

 colouring of Crabs. If it be thought advisable to preserve one 

 specimen of each species accurately extended, the antennje may 

 be fastened with weak gum-water to long strips of card for ^ week, 

 from which they are easily loosened by hot water. The larger 

 Crabs should be perforated in the sides of the abdomen and arms 

 for the removal of as much flpsh as possible, and the cavities well 

 washed out with a solution of arsenic in alcohol. The long-tailed 

 Decapoda are easily cleaned by cutting off the tail, which may be 

 glued on when dry. When pins are used for fastening specimens^ 

 the thickest are to be preferred, as they too soon corrode when 

 the specimens have not been soaked a little in spirit. 



Mr. Stephens, in the family of Hirundinhlce^ described in his 

 supplement to the continuation of Shaw's Zoology, has separated 

 under the generic title of Chcvfura, a group of birds which J had 

 named Acanihura in my cabinet. He has however not been for- 

 tunate in separating it from Cypselus^ by the intervention of the 

 genus Hirundo^ to which it is less nearly allied than to the Swifts, 

 With these, they have elongate wings, the same scream, the same 

 bold rapid flight, and general habits. //. acuta of Stephens may 

 stand as the type. We have one species abundant here, but with 

 whose nidification I am not acquainted : it probably builds in our 

 inaccessible precipices. The strong tail-feathers with their spu- 

 rious naked termination may probably be useful in supporting the 



