Miscellaneous. 385 
New Flud for Preserving Natural-History Specimens. 
By A. E. Verritu. 
In consequence of the high price of alcohol, a series of experiments 
was undertaken by me last year, with the view of finding a sub- 
stitute for it in preserving the soft parts of animals. Among the 
various solutions and liquids tested were nearly all that have ever 
been recommended, besides many new ones. Chloride of zinc, carbolie 
acid, glycerine, chloride of calcium, acetate of alumina, arsenicus acid, 
Goadby’s solutions, and various combinations of these and other 
preparations were carefully tried, and the results made comparative 
by placing the same kind of objects in each, at the same time. 
Although each of these, under certain circumstances, have more or 
less preservative qualities, none of them were found satisfactory, 
especially when the colour and form of the specimen are required to 
be preserved as well as its structure. 
As a test for the preservation of colour, the larvee of the tomato- 
worm (Sphina guadrimaculata) were used. These larve are difficult 
of preservation with the natural form and colour, nearly always turn- 
ing dark brown and contracting badly in alcohol and most other 
preparations. 
As a result of these experiments the following solutions were found 
highly satisfactory in all respects when properly used. By their use 
the larvee and recent pupze of the tomato-worm were preserved and 
still retain their delicate green colours, together with their natural 
form and translucent appearance, while the internal organs are fully 
preserved. Fishes, mollusks, various insects, worms, and leaves of 
plants have also been preserved with perfect success and far better 
than can be done with alcohol. In the case of mollusks, especially, 
the preparations are very beautiful, retaining the delicate semitrans- 
parent appearance of the membranes nearly as in life, with but little 
contraction. Another great advantage is the extreme simplicity and 
cheapness of the solution. 
To use this fluid I prepare first the following stock solution, which 
may be kept in wooden barrels, or casks, and labelled :— 
SouvutTion A. 1. 
TOG KHaSA Gn. Soe ust het Gk eee bg eg Tk 40 oz. 
Nitre: (nitrate Of potassayy. oases tee 4 oz. 
ORG WALEE: fain 5 AN yc, ae er, 1 gallon. 
This is the final solution in which all invertebrate animals must be 
preserved. A solution with double the amount of water may be 
kept if desirable, and called A. 2. Another with three gallons of 
water will be A. 3. 
In the preliminary treatment of specimens the following solution 
is temporarily employed, and is designed to preserve the object while 
becoming gradually saturated with the saline matter; for in no case 
should the specimen be put into the full strength of solution A. 1, 
for it would rapidly harden and contract the external parts and thus 
prevent access to the interior. Even with alcohol it is far better to 
place the object for a time in weak spirits and then transfer succes- 
Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Ser. 3. Vol. xvii. 25 
