12 



or scales, can be readily preserved in alcohol. Small bottles should 

 be used for the purpose. Crabs and small shells, and aquatic ani- 

 mals generally, may, likewise be treated in the same manner. 



It is not usually possible to collect minerals, fossils, and geo- 

 logical specimens in very great mass while travelling. The fossils 

 selected should be as perfect as possible ; and especial care should 

 be paid to procuring the bones and teeth of vertebrate animals. 

 Of minerals and rocks, specimens as large as a hickory-nut will, in 

 many cases, be sufficient for identification. 



Where collections cannot be made in any region, it will be very 

 desirable to procure lists of all the known species, giving the names 

 by which they are generally recognized, as well as the scientific 

 name, when this is practicable. The common names of specimens 

 procured should also be carefully recorded. 



All facts relating to the habits and characteristics of the various 

 species of animals, however trivial and commonplace they may 

 seem, should be carefully recorded in the note book, especially 

 those having relation to the peculiarities of the season of repro- 

 duction, &c. The accounts of hunters and others should also be 

 collected, as much valuable information may thus be secured. The 

 colors of the reptiles and fishes when alive should always be given, 

 when practicable, or, still better, painted on a rough sketch of the 

 object. 



LIST OF APPARATUS USEFUL FOE TRAVELLING PARTIES. 

 1. Two WOODEN chests; OR TWO LEATHER PANNIERS supplied 



with back strap for throwing across a mule, when the transporta- 

 tion is entirely by pack animals. One of these is intended to con- 

 tain the copper kettles, and their included alcohol, together with 

 the nets and other apparatus ; the other to hold the botanical 

 apparatus, skins of animals, minerals, &c. These, when full, should 

 not weigh more than one hundred and fifty pounds the pair. 

 Where the transportation is by wagons, the kettles may be carried 

 in stout wooden chests, about two feet long, one foot wide, and one 

 foot high outside, made of inch stuff. Two half-inch partitions 

 inside may cut off spaces at each end large enough to receive 

 kettles six inches broad, leaving an intermediate space of nine 

 inches for the accommodation of nets, etc. It will be found very 

 convenient to have a chest fitted with trays dropping in from 



