38 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



" Regarding the data required, let me suggest in outline what 

 is most desirable to give. For inland specimens — the colour and 

 markings when alive, the altitude where found, and if numerous 

 or otherwise ; nature of habitat, such as if inhabiting running or 

 stagnant water, and if fresh or salt, also if permanent or 

 occasionally drying up. When of terrestrial habit, the nature of 

 the locality, such as if hilly or flat, if open or bush-land, if damp 

 or dry, if taken from the hill-side or at the bottom of a deep fern 

 gully, or otherwise, also the watershed. If a parasite, the host 

 from which the specimen was taken should be mentioned ; also 

 as much concerning the life-history and particulars of larval forms 

 as possible, not forgetting to mention any morphological sexual 

 characteristics. 



" Do not mistake me, I am not saying that all this information 

 is necessary, nor that collecting specimens otherwise is of no use. 

 What I strongly affirm, however, is that sufficient trouble is 

 generally not taken to accurately observe and make notes upon 

 specimens. I do not wish to make light of the efforts this will 

 require in the doing, but I feel assured that these efforts will be 

 well repaid. In studying natural history objects one should 

 examine them not alone to satisfy one's own curiosity, but in a 

 definite and systematic manner ; then and only then may he 

 justly claim to be a scientific worker, and assuredly he will find 

 that by this means he will accumulate a mass of accurate informa- 

 tion that will afford himself benefit and make knowledge for 

 others. Indeed, if only the effort is made, it will be schooling 

 which will help in mental training. 



" I am reminded here of some sound advice given by Professor 

 L. C. Miall in an address on ' Life-History Studies of Animals.' 

 He says : — ' Perhaps no one ever carried through a serious bit of 

 work without in some stage or other longing to drop it. There 

 comes a time when the first impulse is spent, and difficulties 

 appear which escape notice at first. Then most men lose hope. 

 That is the time to show that we are a little better than most 

 men. I remember as a young man drawing much comfort from 

 the advice of a colleague, now an eminent chemist, to whom I 

 had explained my difticulties and fears. All that he said was 

 " Keep at it," and I found that nothing more was wanted.' 



" Besides what has been already said about the collecting of 

 specimens, it is, of course, necessary to use due care in preserving 

 them in such a manner as is best suitable for laboratory examina- 

 tion. This requires special care in some groups, and sometimes 

 the specimens are of no use unless killed when suitably narcotized. 

 One should make sure if one is adopting right methods. A 

 suitable little book, lately published by the British Museum 

 authorities, called ' Handbook of Instructions for Collectors,' 

 can be recommended. It deals shortly with all the leading 



