700 DIRECTIONS 



finally packed. But if they should be soft, very flexible, and 

 discharge a discoloured bloody mucus, they must be put back in 

 spirits at least 20° over proof Specimens showing distinct signs 

 of decomposition should be thrown away, as they imperil all other 

 specimens in the same vessel. Neither should any specimen in 

 which decomposition has commenced when found, be received for 

 the collecting boxes, unless it be of a very rare species, when the 

 attempt may be made to preserve it separately in the strongest 

 spirits availal)le. The fi'esher the specimens to be preserved are, 

 the better is the chance of keeping them in a perfect condition. 

 Specimens which have lost their scales, or are otherwise much 

 injured, should not be kept. Herring-like fishes, and others Avith 

 deciduous scales, are better wrapped in thin paper or linen before 

 being placed in spirits. 



The spiiits used during this all-important process of preserva- 

 tion loses, of course, gradually in strength. As long as it keeps 

 10° under proof it may still be used for the first stage of preser- 

 vation, but weaker spirits should be re-distilled; or, if the collector 

 cannot do this, it should be at least filtered through powdered 

 charcoal before it is mixed with stronger spirits. Many collectors 

 are satisfied with removing the thick sediment collected at the 

 bottom of the vessel, and use their spirits over and over again 

 without removing from it by filtration the decomposing matter 

 with which it has been impregnated, and which entirely neutralises 

 the preserving property of the spirits. The result is generally 

 the loss of the collection on its journey home. The collector can 

 easily detect the vitiated character of his spirits by its bad smell. 

 He must frequently examine his specimens ; and attention to the 

 rules given, with a little practice and perseverance, after the 

 possible failure of the first trial, will soon insure to him the safety 

 of his collected treasures. The trouble of collecting specimens 

 in spirits is infinitely less than that of preserving skins or dry 

 specimens of any kind. 



When a sufficient number of Avell-preserved examples have 

 been brought together, they should be sent home by the earliest 

 opportunity. Each specimen should be wrapped separately in a 

 piece of linen, or at least soft paper ; the specimens are then 

 packed as close as herrings in the zinc case, so that no free space 



