236 NATURAL HISTORY. 



species whicli may present themselves, subject to the convenience or 

 practicability of" transportation. The number of specimens to be 

 secured will, of course, depend upon their size, and the variety of 

 form or condition, caused by the different features of age, sex, or 

 season. 



As the object of the Institution in making collections is not merely 

 to obtain the different species, but also to determine their geographi- 

 cal distribution, it becomes important to have as full series as prac- 

 ticable from each locality. And in commencing such collections, the 

 most common and abundant species should be secured first, as being 

 most characteristic. It is a fact well known in the history of collec- 

 tions, that the species which, from their abundance, would be first 

 expected^ are the last to make their appearance. Thus, while the 

 rarer mammals of the plains are tolerably well represented^ the ante- 

 lope, i)rairie dog, the various species of wolves, the black-tail deer, 

 and others, so numerous in perfectly accessible localities, have scarcely 

 ever been seen in a preserved state. 



The first specimen procured, however imperfect, should be pre- 

 served, at least until a better can be obtained. 



V/hereasmall part only of the specimens collected can be transported, 

 such species should be selected as are least likely to be procured in other 

 localities or on other occasions. Among these may be mentioned 

 reptiles, fishes, soft insects, &c. ; in short, all such as require alcohol 

 for their preservation. Dried objects, as skins, can be procured with 

 less difficulty, and are frequently collected by persons not specially 

 interested in scientific j^ursuits. 



In gathering specimens of any kind, it is important to fix, with the 

 utmost precision, the localities where they are found. This is espe- 

 cially desirable in reference to fishes and other aquatic animals, since 

 they occupy a very intimate relation to the waters in which they live. 



The smaller quadrupeds, of the size of a mouse, may be preserved 

 entire in alcohol. Larger kinds should be skinned, and tlie skins put 

 into alcohol, or coated on the inside with arsenic, and then dried. 



The skulls of the smaller kinds may be left in the skins; those of 

 the larger should be removed, taking care to attach some common 

 mark by which they may be again brought together. Large animals, 

 of or above the size of the wolf, may, for greater convenience, be 

 skicned after the method pursued by butchers, by drawing the skin 

 of the legs down to the toes, and there severing the joint. Tlie skins' 

 need not be sewed up, as is directed for the smaller kinds, but rolled 

 up into bales, after applying an abundance of arsenic and drying 

 them. In the absence of arsenic, salt applied to the skin v/ill answer 

 as a preservative. Immersion in a strong brine of alum and salt will 

 be found very efficacious. Powdered green or blue vitriol, sprinkled 

 on the hair, will serve a good purpose in keeping off insects. 



It is very important to procure the skeletons, and at all events the 

 skulls, of all the species of mammals, in sufficient number to include 

 all the variations of age and sex. These may be roughly prepared by 

 cutting off the flesh, extracting the brain, and drying in the sun. 



In passing through the breeding ground of species of birds whose 

 nidification and eggs are not known, attention should be paid to secu- 



