COLLECTING FISHES. 



73 



perfect for their purpose as anything can be in this world. 

 They are made of three sizes, to hold four, eight, or sixteen gal- 

 lons. To protect them dur- 

 ing shipment a strong pine 

 chest is used, which is pro- 

 vided with wrought - iron 

 handles, hinged cover, hasp, 

 and padlock. The chests are 

 made to contain one sixteen- 

 gallon tank, two of sight gal- 

 lons, and either three or four 

 four-gallon tanks. The tanks 

 used by the National Muse- 

 um are made by W. S. Bar- 

 ker, Seventh and D Streets, 

 S. W., Washington, at the 

 following prices, exclusive of 

 the chests ; sixteen gallon 

 tank, $16.50 ; eight - gallon, 

 $10 ; foiir-gallon, $4.25 ; pine 

 chosts, complete, $3 each. 



If Agassiz tanks are not obtainable, the next best and the 

 cheapest course is to have some large round cans made of gal- 

 yaui/ed iron, with tops that can be soldered on when the time 

 comes to ship specimens. Wooden keys are not of much use in 

 collecting, but both kegs and barrels are good enough to use in 

 transporting collections. Many a time I have helped myself 

 out of a difficulty afield by falling back upon the immortal 

 America M kerosene can, holding five square gallons, and which 

 goes to the uttermost parts of the earth. 



Ght*x Jarx. In the field I have never found any other sort of 

 a glass jar half as useful and safe as a common Mason fruit jar, 

 varying in size from pint to half-gallon. They are infinitely 

 superior to glass-stoppered jars, and far less liable to be broken. 



PRESERVING FISHES ENTIRE IN SPIRITS. Having taken all the 

 notes on a fresh specimen that you desire, the next thing is to 

 \\.-ish it thoroughly. But "before washing the fish," says Dr. T. 

 H. Bean, "look it over for external parasites; examine the gills 

 and the inside of the mouth carefully, as these are favorite situ- 



FIG. 20. Apassiz Tank, for Alcoholics. 



