72 TAXIDERMY AND ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTING. 



Dr. Goode to have an accurate water-color drawing 1 made by 

 Mr. Schindler of every species of fish, cetacean, and reptile re- 

 ceived. The result is a series of exhibition casts in which every 

 detail of color is reproduced with admirable accuracy and life- 

 likeness. In preserving your fresh specimens remember that, 

 no matter what you may do, the colors will fade, and the more 

 delicate tints will disappear entirely. 



Labels. For alcoholics the best thing to use is a small bit of 

 pure sheet tin, or else sheet lead, with a number stamped upon 

 it. The next best thing is a parchment tag having the necessary 

 data written upon it with a lead pencil, which is much more 

 permanent in alcohol than any ink. 



Scientific Facts. Of the many facts the novice should try to 

 ascertain regarding each species, the following are the most im- 

 portant : All the local names ; degree of abundance ; time when 

 most abundant ; whether it is a permanent resident or is mi- 

 gratory ; if migratory, the facts relating thereto ; its habits ; 

 the depth and character of bottom preferred ; food ; what fishes 

 prey upon them ; value as food or for other purposes. 



Methods of Preservation. In the field, fishes may be collected 

 and preserved in four different ways, according to circumstances, 

 as follows: 1. Pressi'ved entire in spirits. 2. As skins, pre- 

 served in spirits. 3. As skins preserved in brine. 4. As rough 

 skeletons, either preserved dry or in spirits. 



For the purposes of scientific study and close investigation, 

 the most valuable fish specimens are those which have been 

 preserved entire in alcohol, or some equally efficient preserva- 

 tive solution. Good alcoholic specimens rank next in scientific 

 value to fishes fresh from their native element. Ordinarily, how- 

 ever, the collector's resources are limited, and it is necessary for 

 him to preserve only the skins of the large and bulky specimens. 



Tanks for Alcoholics. For years past the National Museum 

 and United States Fish Commission have used square, box-like 

 tanks, made of copper and lined with tin, each tank having a 

 large round hole in its top, as large as the width of the top will 

 allow, and which is closed tightly by means of a screw cover. 

 These are known as " Agassiz tanks," for the reason that the 

 design originated with Professor Louis Agassiz. They are 

 light, not very costly, easily managed, and are about as nearly 



