2368 Journal of Applied Microscopy 



The larger bivalves, should be well washed and, if necessary, scraped off with 

 the knife as soon as taken, care being taken not to injure the epidermis. 



They can be boiled, if desired, when the shells will open and the animals 

 easily removed. But as a rule it is more convenient to cut the muscles, which 

 hold the valves together, with a thin bladed knife and scrape the animal out. 

 Care should be taken not to break the edge of the fragile species when inserting 

 the knife. All traces of animal matter should be removed, and after a thorough 

 washing the valves tied together with a string until thoroughly dried. Never 

 use colored twine for this purpose, as it is apt to stain the shells. Any surface 

 incrustation can be removed either with oxalic or muriatic acid. The latter is 

 more convenient for the larger species, and can be applied with a small brush. 

 It does not bite the fingers, so that it can be used freely. Care, however, must 

 be exercised in using it and the specimens frequently washed, lest damage be 

 done to the shell. The smaller bivalves, the Sphceria and Fisidia, are best 

 treated by putting into diluted alcohol for a day or two and then drying them. 

 If left too long the shells are apt to open, which interferes with the looks of the 

 specimens. 



The larger species of SphcEriujn are better with the animal removed. This 

 can be done after boiling or a few day in alcohol. As these are usually too 

 small to be easily tied together to keep the valves from gaping, each specimen, 

 while the hinge Is flexible, should be closely wrapped up in a small piece of 

 tissue paper until completely dry. 



Both in collecting and cleaning, the specimens from each locality should be 

 kept carefully separated and labeled. Too much importance cannot be given to 

 this point. The study of the geographical distribution of the mollusca is one of 

 the most important branches of conchological work, and this, to be of any value, 

 must be based on absolutely accurate work on the part of the collector. 



PACKING SPECIMENS. 



Small specimens should not be mixed with large ones, as they are apt to get 

 lost ; nor should fragile shells be put in with stronger ones, as they are likely 

 to be broken. The minute specimens can be put into gelatine capsules, small 

 vials, quills or paper tubes made by rolling writing paper around a lead pencil, 

 gumming down the edge and stopping the ends with cotton. Don't mix shells 

 from different localities. Write the locality on a label and wrap it up with each 

 vial or package. Use plenty of cotton in packing fragile shells. Pill boxes and 

 match boxes are convenient for packing purposes. Wrap up each vial or box 

 separately, then if a smash does occur there is a fair chanee of saving some of 

 the specimens and no danger of mixing the contents of different packages. 

 Don't send paper boxes by mail. It is simply tempting Providence. Pack in a 

 wooden box. Bryant Walker. 



Detroit, Mich. 



