274 TRANSMISSION 



large quantity of fresh, water would be fatal to botli 

 plants and animals. Should much rain have fallen 

 on a vessel containing specimens, it should be care- 

 fully tilted, so as to allow the fresh water, which, from 

 its less specific gravity, will be lying on the surface, 

 to run off without mingling with the other. If this 

 be well done, most of the collection, at least that 

 portion of it which was nearest the bottom, may be 

 preserved. 



Living sea-weeds may be transmitted to long dis- 

 tances without water. I used to employ a tin box, 

 enclosed by a basket. At the bottom I placed a layer 

 of refuse weed, the common Fucus serratus, freshly 

 gathered, and quite wet. On this bed I laid the 

 growing specimens (arranging the pieces of rock so as 

 not to shake about and injm'e the plants) until the 

 box was nearly full ; over all, refuse weed was again 

 laid, filling up all hollows, and so pressing the whole 

 when the box was shut, as to prevent any motion of 

 the stones. The specimens arrived in the best condi- 

 dion, even the delicate Delesserm being uninjiu*ed. 



Many animals may be forwarded in the same way. 

 The Mollusca, many of the Echinodermata, several of 

 the Crustacea, and all the Actiniae are transmitted 

 with more ease and less danger thus than in water. 

 A handful of loose weed, wet with sea-water, to keep 

 a moist atmosphere aromid them, may be thrown into 

 a canister or jar, and the animals placed in among it. 

 The vessel should not be filled^ nor should any pres- 

 sure be allowed on the animals ; the weed too, though 

 fresh, must be plucked, as pieces of rock would be 

 injurious to the more tender animals. 



