OF NATtJRAL HlSTORy. 153 



llivers of all countries abound m fresh toater shells: these 

 are much sought after, and are easily taken. Their preserva- 

 tion requires the same process in all respects as sea shells. 



The same remarks will apply equally well to la7id shells^ 

 of which varieties are found almost every where. 



Of bivalves, or those having two shells, it is important to 

 obtain both valves. The natural skin peculiar to many kinds 

 of shells, should not on any account be taken off, but may be 

 kept in its natural state by being rubbed with a little oil ; nor 

 should the shells be touched with acids, as they are spoiled 

 by them. It is also desirable to have a shell of each species, 

 containing the animal, which may be kept in spirits. 



Corals, sea-fans, &c. may be simply washed in. fresh water 

 and dried in the shade. 



STAR-FISH.— (.^sterns.) 

 Must be washed in fresh water, and dried in. the shade. 



SEA-EGGS.— (EcAwws.) 



Must be washed in fresh water, punctured around the 

 mouth, which is beneath, with a pen-knife, dipped into a 

 pretty strong solution of corrosive sublimate and spirits, dried 

 in the shade, and packed in cotton or bran to protect the spines 

 from being broken. 



In addition to the specimens above enumerated, it is par- 

 ticularly desirable to have whole skeletons of different quad- 

 rupeds, birds, reptiles and fish, and if this is not practicable 

 the skulls, tlie pelvis or haunch bones, the feet, specifying 

 whether the fore or hind feet and the wings are valuable, and 

 it frequently happens that an animal may be too much soiled 

 or disfigured for stufiing, while some or all of these parts may- 

 be obtained from it. To clean the separate bones it is merely 

 necessary that they should be boiled so as to soften the meat 

 which is then readily scraped off, during which process care 

 must be taken not to break off any delicate points of bone. 

 In preserving whole skeletons, the skull and bones of the 

 neck and tail as well as the large bones of the extremities 

 may be prepared in the above manner, but the ribs and back 

 bone should be cleaned as much as possible with a knife 

 only, and not separated, A little arsenic rubbed upon them 

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