THE SEA AND ITS SHORES. 17 



baler you can rapidly reduce the level of the water to a working 

 height. I have in this way almost completely emptied a deep 

 and narrow rock basin, where there was no play for the arms. 

 You need have no scruples about destroying a natural aquarium 

 by so doing, for the rising tide will soon put that matter right 

 again. Where I have had to reduce the water in a large pool 

 that would have taken a long time to bale out in this fashion, 

 I have taken down a portable garden pump with splendid 

 results. 



In working a "drang" or rock gulley at low water, pay 

 special attention to the lower part of the perpendicular rock- 

 walls, that are most protected from the full force of the waves 

 in stormy weather. Where such a fissure runs parallel with 

 the cliffs, the most productive wall will be that which faces the 

 cliffs, for it is easy to see that in heavy seas this is the 

 part that is protected from the sledge-hammer force of the 

 waves and the big stones with which they batter and bombard 

 the land; therefore, it is the part where soft and delicate 

 organisms have the best chance of flourishing. It will be well 

 also to carefully scrutinise the opposite wall, but when there is 

 only a brief time at disposal devote it to the one we have 

 indicated as the best. 



Should you desire to obtain specimens for preservation in 

 the cabinet instead of the aquarium, then you must take a jar 

 of fresh water, which should be of a distinctive shape or mate- 

 rial, to prevent mistakes Most of the marine creatures are 

 killed by immersion in fresh-water, which has the advantage 

 of not altering their colours, as spirit does in too many cases 

 notably among the Crustacea. A few of the corked glass tubes 

 that most naturalists use, will be found handy for minute 

 specimens, which are liable to be overlooked if put into the 

 general collecting jars with larger creatures. Overcrowding of 

 the live stock must be avoided, or all will be dead or dying 

 before your collecting is well through. 



For small fish, shrimps, and other swimming creatures, you 



