OF SPECIMENS. 275 



FisheSj however, many Crustacea, most of the 

 Annelida, all Medusae, and the more delicate Zoo- 

 phytes, require to be sent in sea-water. I sometimes 

 use wide-mouthed jars of stone- ware, with water- 

 tight screwed tops,* several of which may be packed 

 in a hamper; at other times a large 12-gallon zinc 

 pail, protected by a wicker case, with a screw lid, of 

 which the central part is perforated with minute holes ; 

 at others, four small zinc cans, of square form, with 

 perforate tops, fitted into an open box, like case-bottles 

 in a wine-hamper. All of these modes answer well ; 

 I know not to which I should give the preference ; 

 except that for Fishes the large pail is decidedly the 

 best. If heavy stones or oyster-shells, very rich in 

 Zoophytes and Annelides, be required, a common 

 cabbage-net may be suspended from the lid of the 

 pail in mid- water; the stones or shells, being put 

 into this net, will be kept from injuring themselves or 

 their neighbours by banging about upon the bottom. 



The more brief the period during which the speci- 

 mens are in transitu the better. Hence they should 

 be always forwarded per mail train, and either be 

 received at the terminus by the owner, or else be 

 directed "To be forwarded immediately by special 

 messenger." The additional expense of this pre- 

 caution is very small, and it may preserve half the 

 collection from death through long confinement. 



The packages should be opened immediately on 



arrival ; several bowls, pans, &c., being ready, each 



half-filled with sea-water. The water in the vessels 



just received should be carefully dipped or poured off, 



* These may be procured at 137, High Holborn. 



t2 



