122 ON COLLECTING AND PRESEHVING SHELLS. 



valves, after the animal has been extracted, sliould be closed and tied 

 together. If the ligament of a gaping Bivalve should become dry 

 and stiff, it can be softened by putting it in water. 



4. The localities in which each species is found should be noted, 

 and, in the case of dredging, the depth of water. 



With regard to the mode of packing shells for transport : — 

 All solid shells may be wrapped in one or two folds of paper of 

 any kind. Fragile and minute shells should be put, generally 

 separately, into a box or bottle — with or without cotton, as required. 

 Such packets may be heaped up in any box, heavy shells at the 

 bottom, without pressure, and any blank at the top filled with paper 

 or other elastic material. Sawdust injures the lustre of many 

 species. 



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