THE MUSEUM. 



•37 



stone "skipped" on the water dimin- 

 ishes in lenj;th of the rebounds, ami 

 finally the animal squats in its tracks 

 on its haunches with a jerk, to look 

 and listen. The attitude assuch times 

 is hif^hly characteristic. One fore foot 

 is advanced a little before the other, 

 and the ears are held pointing in op- 

 posite tlirections. A hare in such an 

 attitude as this is always upon the 

 watch, and the slightest stimulation of 

 its fears at such a time is enough to 

 start it on its bounding course. It is 

 a beautiful exhibition of timid watch- 

 fulness. I have never seen this hare 

 stand erect with its fore paws off the 

 ground, as some of the smaller relat- 

 ives are wont to do. and I doubt that 

 it ever assumes this attitude except 

 perhaps m >mentarily. 



(To be continued.) 



Directions and Suggestions- 



WHEKE TO FIND .VND II nV TO COLLECT 



AND PREPARE HAND AND FRESH 



WATER SHELLS FOR THE 



CABINET. 



General remarks. — With the results 

 of his labor before him the collector 

 derives much information respecting 

 his shells as will enhance the pleasure 

 and other advantages he expects to de- 

 rive from them. To the true natural- 

 ist they are the most beautiful as na- 

 ture made them, and one should never 

 seek to beautify them by varnishing. 

 If you wish to exchange your dupli- 

 cates with other collectors we would 

 not advise any artificial treatment oth- 

 er than judicious cleaning. 



In arranging a series of shells in a 

 cabinet, the collector, if unacquainted 

 with their names, may group the spe- 

 ies according to their obvious resem- 

 blances that show their relation to 

 each other. We strongly recommend 

 keeping a note book and as fast as 

 one puts shells in the cabinet, whether 

 named or not, to designate them by 

 number, said number referring to a 

 similar one in the note book, where 



full details of the take, date, etc., 

 should be reconled. 



In packing the large P'resh Water 

 Mussels, if a quantity are to be sent, 

 they may be nested one inside another 

 and then wrapped in paper and placed 

 in tiers in a strong box. Use straw, 

 moss or any soft material between the 

 layers and at bottom and top. They 

 may be safely sent by freight. Bill 

 as Clam Shells and they will go at a 

 specially low rate. 



The smaller land and fresh water 

 shells can be neatly packed in small 

 pasteboard boxes and these in turn 

 put in cigar boxes when they may be 

 sent to most any part of the world by 

 mail. Cotton or other soft material 

 should be liberally used. Tissue pa- 

 per is best for wrapping. Always 

 brace the cover of cigar boxes so that 

 with rough handling it will not be 

 crushed in. It your p.ickage weighs 

 less than three pounds it can be sent 

 to any point in the United States by 

 express at one cent an ounce the same 

 as mail. The minimum charge over 

 one company is 15 cents and if it goes 

 through the hands of two companies 

 the minimum charge is 20 cents. If a 

 package, for instance, weighs 30 

 ounces the express companies will car- 

 ry it across the United States for 30 

 cents. It is a special rate in competi- 

 tion with the mail. It is much safer 

 than by mail and besides the express 

 company guarantees the shipper against 

 loss. 



We mention this matter as many 

 express agents do not give their cus- 

 tomers this special rate unless asked 

 to do so. 



Beginning with January i, 1899, 

 collectors in the United States have 

 the satisfaction and privilege of ship- 

 ping samples of their specimens to any 

 point in the Postal Union at one cent 

 an ounce, the regular merchandise rate 

 within the U. S. For many years 

 collectors have been handicapped by 

 being charged 10 cents an ounce, reg- 

 ular letter rate. I believe the limit of 

 weight is 12 ounces, but one may 



