COLLECTING FISHES. 7~> 



is that it is stronger than is really necessary. I have preserved 

 barrels of alcoholic specimens in a solution composed of two parts 

 of proof spirits and one part water, and have never lost n speci- 

 men except through leakage. This solution is strong enough to 

 stand considerable deterioration without the loss of its contents. 



I have never attempted to collect quantities of alcoholics 

 without an alcoholometer in constant use. This little instru- 

 ment costs but a trifle, and affords the only reliable means for 

 testing the strength of alcohol. Its use enables the collector to 

 exercise economy in the use of his spirits, and get the maxi- 

 mum benefit from it. Therefore I say, buy an alcoholometer at 

 all hazards, and carry it and a suitable test-glass with your out- 

 fit. Test the spirits on your specimens frequently, and you will 

 then run no risks of loss. 



Keep a receptacle to use as a receiving and curing tank, into 

 which all fresh specimens are placed, with abundant room for 

 each to undergo the curing process. Every animal contains in 

 its body a heavy percentage of water, which must be, in great 

 measure, replaced by the spirits before the flesh can be pre- 

 served from decay. Into the first bath a great quantity of blood 

 and abdominal fluids will be soaked out from the specimen, and 

 it is bound to lose strength rapidly, and also become foul. As 

 long as it remains clean enough to use, keep up its strength by 

 the addition of pure spirits, and in it immerse all specimens 

 until they are thoroughly cured. Give them plenty of room at 

 first, and keep them from settling down to the bottom by put- 

 ting there a bunch of excelsior, tow, or cloth. While the 

 spirits in a can may be strong enough on top to preserve a 

 specimen, at the bottom, where the animal impurities settle, 

 it may be so weak that anything 1 lying in it would soon spoil. 

 Often the tail of a fish which hangs upright in a jar will spoil 

 while the remainder will be preserved. 



After specimens have rem;iiii";l in the receiving- tank for from 

 two to four days, according to size, put them in another re- 

 ceptacle in clean, fresh spirits, still allowing them plenty of 

 room. Finally, when ready to pack up and make a shipment 

 home, wrap each fish separately in a piece of thin, white cotton 

 cloth, just large enough to cover it well, dip it in clean spirits, 

 and without any tying or pinning of the cloths, lay the fishes in 



