05 



chart of the Mediterranean, I see stated " sand and shells" 

 at a depth of 800 fathoms, between Gibraltar and Ceuta; but 

 to this and similar instances I attach little importance, 

 knowing the transporting power of currents, and the manner 

 in which marine exuviae are deposited by them in the lowest 

 hollows. 



There is only one other subject with which I will 

 occupy your time, — viz., a communication made by Mr. 

 Goadby to the Natural History Section of the British Asso- 

 ciation, at York, upon the means of preserving specimens 

 and anatomical preparations. His attention had long 

 been directed to the finding a of substitute for alcohol, 

 which is not only an expensive fluid, but answers the 

 purpose very imperfectly, by destroying the colour and 

 altering the consistency of the objects preserved. The 

 solution first adopted by him, and which has been long 

 known to the public, is composed of 



Bay salt, 4 ounces. 



Alum, 2 do. 



Corrosive sublimate, 2 grains. 



Water, 1 quart. 

 But this was found inapplicable in many cases, on ac- 

 count of the injurious action of the alum upon carbonate 

 of lime. To remedy this defect, Mr. Goadby has substi- 

 tuted a solution, which, after a trial of two years, has been 

 found invariably to answer, and which he first communicated 

 to the public at York, in last September, when he exhibited 

 numerous preparations, comprising a great variety of the 

 most delicate objects, including even Medusa, in the most 

 beautiful preservation. It is composed of 



Bay salt, \ lb. 



Arsenious acid, 20 grains. 



Corrosive sublimate, 2 do. 



Boiling water, J quart. 

 The conclusion arrived at is, that the last-named mix- 



