152 PREPARING SPECIMENS 



INSECTS. 



Hard shelled insects, such as beetles, as well as flies, grass- 

 hoppers, &c. merely require to be pierced with a pin through 

 the right elytron or wing case, and stuck in a box. Butter- 

 flies should be caught with a net in such a manner as not to 

 deprive the wings of the down which covers them. In 

 preserving them, two specimens are desirable so as to exhibit 

 both surfaces of the wings, which should be kept extended. 



When insects are preserved in a box the sides should be 

 plentifully daubed with turpentine and a large lump of cam- 

 phor be put into each box. As another precaution, a quantity 

 of arsenic may be mixed with the turpentine. 



Spiders, centipedes, worms, and all soft insects are best 

 preserved in spirits. 



SHELLS.* 

 Shells may be collected in great plenty and variety on the 

 shores of most continents and islands ; but after having lain 

 there for any considerable time divested of the animal, they be- 

 come broken and lose their colour, and of course are less valua- 

 ble ; choose therefore only such as are complete of their kind, 

 and not corroded by worms ; which are generally those having 

 the live animals in them, or those recently thrown upon the 

 shore by the sea. The animals may be killed by putting 

 them into boiling water, after which each must be extracted 

 from its shell, unless very small, reserving its operculum or 

 cover which closes up the mouth : this, however, does not 

 exist in every species. The shells, especially those from the 

 sea, should then be soaked in fresh water, afterwards well 

 dried ; then wrapped up carefully in soft paper or bran, and 

 packed in a box, leaving no room for shaking. Many kinds 

 of shells live out at sea, and never approach the shores; others 

 fix themselves to the bottoms of ships, old timber, turtles, &c. 

 These are generally the most rare and valuable, and may be 

 procured by trailing, or with scoop-nets, among the rubbish, 

 sea weeds, &c. that are frequently found floating on the 

 ocean. 



* The three following articles on shells, starfish and sea eggs, as well 

 as on minerals and all that follows, are copied from the instructions issued 

 by the Philadelphia Academy of Sciences, which have also been libe- 

 rally used throughout. 



