32 Rev. L. Guilding’s Observations 
as the water cools they are to be thrown into strong clear spirit for a few 
days. The flesh is on no account to be removed ; but before being placed 
to dry, the animals are to be for a moment immersed in spirit, saturated 
with corrosive sublimate, which insures their safety. They are now to 
be placed in rows according to their height, and boards or weights of 
any kind placed on them till they are dry: or they may be pressed be- 
tween the leaves of an old useless folio volume, the bent specimens being 
laid in the central groove, which, as it is closed, will restore the natural 
attitude : when freed from extraneous bodies, they may be gummed on 
card of various colors, and the natural tints are easily brought out bya 
brush moistened with pure oil. Nothing can exceed the simplicity of 
this plan, or the beauty of the specimens which are thus prepared and 
secured from the attacks of insect enemies and air. Mr. Frembly’s plan of 
suffering them to die gradually in a covered box is subject to great objec- 
tions. Even in this sultry climate they will live many days, and will 
require to be often watched : they crowd on the backs of each other for 
the sake of moisture and coolness, and putridity at last often advances 
before the animals can be secured. 
There is another plan of destroying the Mollusca, to which I must call 
the attention of Zoologists. The examination of Bivalves is attended 
with the greatest difticulty, from the impossibility, in many cases, of open- 
ing the valves without rudely cutting asunder the adductorial muscles or 
breaking the shell at the risk of injuring the inhabitant, or waiting till its 
death, when it is commonly in a state unfit for examination. I have found 
that many Acephala, which in a damp cellar would survive for weeks, 
die in a single night if left in stale sea-water, with their valves open, and 
the animal well extended. Sea-water, when exposed to the sun and 
stale, in a very short time is fatal to the Mollusca, Crustacea, and other 
marine creatures: while it has the advantages of not causing them to 
throw off their limbs in the agonies of death, or to shorten their retractile 
organs. Of course the observer will not omit to keep them for a time in 
water perfectly fresh, and carefully attend to their habits while they con- 
tinue in health and vigour. 
Another plan I have long practised with great success for Land 
Mollusca, and Mr. Gray informs me he has followed it at the British 
Museum, A glass, or other vessel, with a ground or perfectly even 
