VIII. INSTRUCTIONS FOR COLLECTING AND PREPARING 
LYMN EAS. 
CoLLectinG. Lymnzeas may be collected in bottles, cans, or almost 
any receptacle. A wire scoop attached to a long handle is a good 
utensil to use in picking up floating individuals or for scooping up those 
species inhabiting the deeper water. 
PREPARATION FOR Dry Srupy. The shell may be prepared by 
placing the animal in boiling water, which kills it, after which the soft 
parts are easily withdrawn with a pin or needle. The shell may then 
be washed and dried and is ready for the cabinet. In case the shell 
is encrusted with lime or some other matter, a judicious use of oxalic 
acid may be necessary to clean it well. © 
PREPARATION FOR ANATOMICAL Stupy. Lymnzas may be killed 
by placing them in boiling water, after which they may be preserved 
in 60% alcohol. They should never be placed directly in alcohol, as 
this causes too much contraction for subsequent work. Should these 
facilities not be available, it is permissible to preserve specimens in 
alcohol, as any kind of a specimen is better than none, especially in 
the case of those species which live in little frequented parts of the 
country. Plunging in alcohol does not affect the Lymnzeas as much 
as it does the land shells. On no account use formolyn (formalde- 
hyde), as this medium makes the animal brittle, besides ruining the 
eyesight of the one studying the material. 
DissecTinGc. The dissecting of Lymnezas is not difficult. All that 
is necessary is a dissecting microscope, a shallow pan with a cork or 
wax bottom into which pins may be stuck, a pair of fine-pointed scissors 
and plenty of fine-pointed pins (insect pins are the best). If care be 
observed, the genitalia, the digestive system, the central nerve mass 
and the respiratory and renal organs may be spread out and easily 
studied. (See plate 1.) The animal, after removal from its shell, 
may be opened by making an incision from the top of the back to the 
upper coils of the body and the flaps of the cut mantle turned aside 
and pinned to the bottom of the tray. In this position, with the head 
toward the observer, the genitalia will be seen to the left, the buccal 
sac and general digestive tract in the center, and the respiratory cavity 
and renal organ to the right. If the incision be made to the left of 
