THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 37 



collector and systematist should be closer, and it can only be 

 done by supplying field observation notes. Of course, whenever 

 a field naturalist, in the literal sense, is sure of his specific 

 determination, it is within his power to record any facts con- 

 cerning it that he may desire, but it is necessary that his 

 determination should be unquestionably right, and this is often 

 a serious business, far more so than some are inclined to think. 

 Hence co-operation with a specialist of the group to have his 

 specimen or specimens named before publishing, with the state- 

 ment by whom it has been done, is necessary, not for the honour 

 and glory of the specialist, but because it is often important to 

 know definitely who has identified the specimen, and also if it 

 varies in any important degree from the type. It is doubtless, 

 just because of the inability to get the right name of many 

 organisms that records are not made concerning them. Field 

 naturalists will thus see the importance of helping on this work. 



" It is usually not long before a field naturalist becomes 

 inclined specially to some one group of organisms, and pays more 

 or less attention definitely to it, and it is well that such should 

 be the case. Once a subject is chosen, observations accumulate 

 with surprising rapidity, and next to the selection of a subject 

 nothing is so important as system in pursuing it ; order and 

 method are absolutely necessary, and the making of full and 

 exact notes of your specimens is essential for good work. This, 

 unfortunately, is very often neglected with collectors, as I have 

 already pointed out, but I wish to particularly emphasize the 

 importance of writing observations about the specimens at or 

 about the time of their capture. 



" With all natural history specimens it is essential to label 

 them securely, showing at least the exact locality where they were 

 found, and the date when taken, but there is also other informa- 

 tion of fundamental importance that should be noted whenever 

 possible, and effort made to obtain it. As but a comparatively 

 few words can be put on a label, it is better to add, beside the 

 locality and date, a number, and write any additional remarks in 

 a note-book kept for the purpose. Of course, if you are 

 absolutely sure of the specific identification of any of your 

 specimens it would be sufficient to mention it alone by name, but 

 as accurate identification is often impossible, and error apt to 

 arise, registering by number even as well as naming the specimens 

 is the best method, at least until you know your group well. The 

 label should be quite secure from the possibility of obliteration 

 or loss, and as it does not appear to be generally known, labels 

 for spirit-preserved specimens may be written in lead pencil, and 

 placed inside the container with the specimen, which indeed is 

 the best plan ; of course several kinds may be placed in the same 

 container if the labels are so written that no mistake can arise. 



