38 HLMS UFOiV THE FRLPARATIOX OF ZOOLOGICAL SFECllME-XS. 



as might direct our further progress with the greatest probability of suc- 

 cess. From him we learned that on account of the hostility of the In- 

 dians, it would be the extreme of imprudence to ventuie any further up 

 the river, but that in the present slate of things we would be more safe 

 in exploring the more southern rivers and coast, such as Mosquitto riv- 

 er, &c. We, therefore, returned disappointed to our little vessel and re- 

 traced our voyage to the mouth of the river with the intention of going 

 lo Mosquitto river, and perhaps as far as to Cape Florida, but learning 

 that the Indians were troublesome in the south, so that we would be in 

 great jeopardy there, we determined once more to ascend the St. Juan 

 as high as we had been before, and again seek upon the adjacent coun- 

 try for all those subjects of Natural History of which the acquisition 

 was the sole object of our undertaking. 



As we re-descended the river we heard of parties of Indians who had 

 been committing depredations, and one person informed us that a few 

 days previous, his plantation was totally destroyed by them, and his son 

 killed, he narrowly escaping with the remainder of his family, and with 

 the graze of a rifle ball on his forehead. The Indians then took the 

 road to Picolata ; so that we departed from that place in good time, as 

 it seems probable they went in quest of us. 



After remaining a few days at the mouth of the river to make fur- 

 ther collections, we began our return voyage ; we examined more in 

 detail all the Georgia sea islands, visited Fernandina in Amelia Island, 

 St. Mary's, Savannah, Darien, &c. At Charleston we abandoned our 

 sloop and embarked on board of a packet ship for this city, to which 

 we have all returned in good health, and without any casualty. Thus, 

 in consequence of this most cruel and inhuman war that our Govern- 

 ment is unrighteously and unconstitutionally waging against these poor 

 wretches, whom we call savages, our voyage of discovery was rendered 

 abortive, as we were not in Florida at the season we Avished, the spring; 

 we therefore, obtained but very few insects, and these few of but little 

 consequence. My discoveries were principally in the Crustacea. 



Fkiladcljjhia, June 10th, 1818. 



HINTS UPON TlIK PREPAK ATFON OF ZOOLOGICAL .SPECUVIKNS. 



BY II. HAUI'T, A. M. PRINCIPAL OF OAKRIDGE SE.M. 



As the formation of a Museum, and the establishment of a general 

 Cabinet of Natural History is an important object of the Linnaean So- 

 ciety of Pennsylvania College, it is presumed that a .short article on the 

 preparation of specimens may not be altogether unacceptable. 



