After a storm, the kelp and shore should be carefully searched 

 for these and other shells. 



The rocks and hardened mud banks should be searched for 

 bivalves, which bore in them, and must be extracted by the ham- 

 mer. They should be preserved in spirit. Some kinds make a 

 cup or shelly tube outside the shell, which should be preserved. 

 Most of the bivalves are found in the sand or sandy mud, and 

 should be dug for where a little rising, or holes are seen. Salt 

 marshes are particularly productive. 



Most of the kinds can only be obtained alive by dredging,^ 

 especially on a bottom of sandy mud or gravel. But several 

 rare deep-water species can be obtained by examining the con- 

 tents of fishes' stomachs and intestines, where they are often 

 found in quantities uninjured. 



Some of the most interesting shells are extremely small. They 

 may be picked oif from the kelp or crevices of rocks at low 

 water; and if there be sand, mud, or small gravel, especially from 

 deep water, which contains small and broken shells, the larger 

 shells may be packed up in it with advantage, after passing it 

 through a fine sieve. 



Land shells should be sought for in rainy weather, and in the 

 early morning. The small kinds are often found on decayed 

 bark or under stones. The naked slugs (as well as similar 

 animals in the sea) should be preserved in spirit. The fresh- 

 water nnivalves will be found on stones, buried in mud, or among 

 water plants ; and the pond and river mussels at the bottom. 

 None of the land or freshwater shells of the Pacific coast are as 

 yet common in collections. 



All information as to the station and habits of each species 

 will be very acceptable. If they be kept in water (changing 

 it constantly) and the animal drawn when in motion, very im- 

 portant knowledge may be gained. 



The shells should be left with the dirt and all natural secre- 

 tions adhering to them; nor should filing, acid, etc., on any 

 account be employed with a view to improve their appearance. 



' A figiire of the dredge, and instructions for its use, will be found on 

 page 39 of "Directions for making Collections of Natural History," pub- 

 lislied by this Institution. The pamphlet will be sent to any one desiring 

 it, on application. 



