HINTS TO COLLECTORS. 97 



beautifully, and its antiseptic qualities are unexcep- 

 tional. A good-sized test tube answers better than a 

 bottle for putting them up, as it admits of closer exa- 

 mination of the animal. The only drawback to this 

 process is, that unless the solution is of sufficient 

 strength, and unless the tentacles are extruded when 

 the animal is immersed, it generally, but not in- 

 variably, fails. Some slugs appear to be more 

 susceptible to the action of the fluid than others ; 

 and it generally answers better with full-grown than 

 with young specimens. But if successful, the 

 specimens are as satisfactory as could be desired ; 

 and even if unsuccessful, they are a great deal 

 better than those preserved in spirit ; for although 

 the tentacles may not be completely extruded, 

 they are more or less so." 



The Testacella, or shell-slugs, may be preserved 

 by partially drying them in sand and removing the 

 soft parts through a slit in the length of the foot, 

 filling up with cotton wool, and completing the dry- 

 ing process. 



As to the best mode of exhibiting shells in the 

 cabinet, opinions differ. They may be gummed on 

 slips of card, kept loose in card-board trays, or, 



H 



