Thilenius. — On Formaline. 



101 



Total length (inclusive of caudal) 



Length to base of caudal 



Greatest depth 



Length of head 



Greatest diameter of orbit 



Greatest diameter of eye 



Direct length base of dorsal fin 



Direct length base of anal fin 



Extreme height of pectoral . . 



Extreme height of ventral 



Heights of ninth and fifteenth dorsal spines 



Greatest expanded width of caudal 



Width narrowest part of body near tail 



In. 



19-2 

 13-3 

 5-1 

 3-85 

 0-7 

 0-65 

 8-2 

 33 

 2-6 

 2-45 

 1-6 

 6-4 

 2-0 



Art. XI. — Formaline in Museology. 



By Dr. G. Thilenius, Lecturer on Anatomy to the University 



of Strasburg. 



Communicated by Sir J. Hector. 



[Read before the Wellingtofi Pliilosophical Society, 20th September, 1898.] 



The liquid called "formaline," or " formol," represents a 

 40-per-cent. solution of formaldehyde in distilled water, and is 

 likely to replace spirits of wine in many cases, and to improve 

 the conditions and general aspect of preserved specimens. On 

 its introduction into museology formahne was used indiscrimi- 

 nately, and in the same way as spirits, the result, of course, 

 being, to a certain extent, the discrediting of the liquid. By 

 degrees the hmits of its use, the proper concentration, and 

 its drawbacks have been observed, and in the following lines 

 I give a short notice of my six years' experience. 



Vebtebeates. 



Mammals, birds, and reptiles ought to be preserved in 

 spirits in the usual way. Formaline does not penetrate the 

 skin sufficiently, and, even after opening the abdomen, it is 

 not possible to get a satisfactory result. Especially if the 

 specimen is intended for anatomical dissection formaline 

 must be avoided, because it entirely prevents the maceration 

 of the skeleton. The only exception to this rule is that of a 

 rare small mammal or bird, which, being badly shot, or spoiled, 

 has to be preserved, skinning not being possible. In this case, 

 after opening the abdomen and removing the intestines — 

 except ovaries and testicles — a ball of cotton soaked in con- 



