IMPLEMENTS. 291 



full-moon tides are generally greater than tliose of 

 the new moon ; and those about the time of the equi- 

 noxes, or the spring-tides of March and April, and of 

 September and October, are the best of the whole 

 year. Prevailing winds, however, exercise some in- 

 fluence on the amount of recess of the tide. 



The time of lowest water on any particular day 

 can be readily ascertained from local tide-tables ; and 

 the young collector, in choosing the locality of his 

 operations, will pay attention to this point before- 

 hand, that he may select a place where the time of 

 low-water on the days of spring-tides is the most con- 

 venient for his occupation. For instance, the time of 

 low-tide on the day of full-moon is about noon on 

 our western shores, but about six o'clock on the 

 Sussex coast. 



Implements. — I use a wicker-basket wdth a flat 

 bottom and straight sides, divided into compartments. 

 In two of these fit wide-mouthed jars, such, for example, 

 as are used for preserves : if made of glass they are 

 the better, as admitting a more ready examination of 

 their contents ; but jars of white- ware or stone-ware 

 will do. The larger objects procured are put into 

 these ; and I commonly carry also a wide-mouthed 

 phial, such as the chemists keep quinine in, fitted into 

 a third compartment, to receive the minuter and more 

 delicate things. Then there is a fourth division 

 running the whole length of the basket, in which lie 

 a hammer and chisel, and which may receive large 

 shells, crabs, &c. that do not require constant immer- 

 sion. A geologist's hammer with a cutting edge, as 

 well as a striking face, is the most useful 5 and the 



u2 



