MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS. 17o 



the animal is in its natural situation with its body exposed to the waters of 

 the ocean, while by means of a mouth it is enabled to counteract the natural 

 action of the ligaments, and to close its shell at pleasure. 



Directions for Pedestrian Travellers Colonel Shaw offers these 



Directions for Pedestrian Travellers in general, but we would recommend 

 them in an especial manner to the attention of Naturalists whose pur- 

 suits necessarily expose them to the inconveniencies of pedestrian travel- 

 ling. The benevolent Colonel begins with the remark, that if any one in- 

 tends to make a long tour on foot, it is necessary to take some precautions. 

 I need not say that English shoes are the best. I do not mean new shoes, 

 but those of which the upper leathers are good and soft, and have been worn 

 to fit the shape of the foot. To such a pair of shoes let an additional sole be 

 put with small nails at the toes and sides ; care being taken that the heel be 

 not either too high or heavy. Let them be laced a short way up the instep, 

 and of a size to allow the foot to sit easy without being loose, when a woollen 

 stocking is on : of these strong shoes have two pair, and a third pair, not of 

 such strong material, to be worn when you come to the end of your journey. 

 As to the stockings, the greatest care must be taken in the choice, as such as 

 are generally sold in shops are sure to cause blisters both at heel and toe. 

 If you examine the ordinary qualities of stockings in shops, you will find 

 that the threads are drawn together to a point in the middle of the heel, and 

 about the ball of the big toe. Avoid such stockings as they are sure to cause 

 misery. The stockings made by old women on wires are the best, and the 

 finer the wool the better. Of these there should be four pairs ; and if a 

 stocking be put over each shoe (the outside innermost) they will not take 

 much room, and will at the same time prevent the shoes from soiling the 

 other things in the knapsack. As to other requisites, the first to be provided 

 is a good knapsack of the best oil-skin. It is to be had in all the military 

 store shops in London. Care should be taken to have the straps of the best 

 patent leather, and a degree broader than usual. The proper breadth for 

 ease is the regulation strap for the Guards' knapsack. They should be so 

 Ion that you can use them in the foreign manner if you choose. By this I 

 mean that in the foreign knapsack the fixture from which the shoulder straps 

 play, is placed in the centre of the knapsack, while the English fixtures are 

 placed on the points of the shoulders just in a line with the shoulder straps, 

 so that the whole weight of the knapsack is on the upper part of the arms, 

 instead of being divided over the back. In the French manner the knapsack- 

 sticks closer to the back, consequently you do not feel its weight so oppres- 

 sive. When provided with a knapsack, get a wide cloak, (so wide as to go 

 over the knapsack) of the very finest silk oils-kin, long enough to reach to 

 the middle of the thigh ; likewise an oil-skin to the hat. Caps are recom- 

 mended, but a hat is preferable, as you can carry things in the hollow of it. 

 For a coat nothing is so good as a surtout made of the finest cloth ; it should 

 button up close to the neck to avoid cold, the oil-skin cloak can be used either 

 for sitting or laying on the ground. Have two pairs of trowsers of dark 

 gambroon. As it is of consequence to walk cool, if possible, march without 

 drawers, but be sure to put them on at the end of the journey ; one pair is 

 enough ; they can be washed and dried while you arc in bed. As to shirts, 

 have one in the knapsack, and a very long night shirt made of the finest and 

 lightest cotton, which will be found of the greatest benefit when you arc 



