500 PREPARATION AND PRESERVATION 



by fishermen, if the depths are not too great ; they are also brought 

 up by the cable in weighing anchor, the log-line, and in sounding. 



" After a storm, good shells may be picked up on sea beaches or 

 shores, as the violent agitation of the ocean in a tempest separates 

 them from their native beds, and often casts them on the shore. 

 Shells that have been much tossed about by the waves, are of less 

 value than fresh ones ; but these, when other specimens are not to 

 be got, ought to be carefully collected. Many interesting shells 

 are found in rivers and lakes ; and numerous species occur on the 

 surface of the land. 



' " Fresh shells, or those in which the animal is still alive, ought 

 to be thrown into hot water, the temperature of which may be gra- 

 dually brought to the boiling point, by the repeated additions of 

 hotter portions, by which means the animal will be killed. The 

 shells are allowed to cool for two or three minutes, and then the 

 animal is picked out. 



" Insects. Beetles of every kind are speedily deprived of life 

 by putting into boiling water, which does not injure those having 

 black, brown, or any dark colour ; but those which are covered with 

 fine down, or have brilliant colours and lustre, should not be expos- 

 ed to moisture, but are easily killed, if put into a phial, and placed 

 in a vessel of boiling water for some time. When the insects are 

 quite motionless, such as have been in the water should be exposed 

 to the air and sun for a day or two, until perfectly dry. In this 

 state, they are to be placed in boxes with cotton-wool, along with 

 camphor. Beetles may also be preserved in spirit of wine. 



" Butterflies, moths, and many other tribes of insects, with deli- 

 cate and tender wings, may be easily killed, by pressing the thorax 

 or breast betwixt the finger and thumb -, and it is preferable to 

 have the wings closed, because they thus occupy less space, their 

 colour and lustre are better preserved, and they can be expanded 

 afterwards by the steam of hot water. Care should be taken that 

 the antennae or feelers and legs are not injured. A pin should be 

 stuck through them, by means of which they are fastened to the 

 bottom of a box lined with cork, or to one of deal, or other soft wood. 

 Camphor ought to be put into the box. 



" The Arachnides or Spiders are best preserved in spirits. 



fc In collecting insects, we use either the forceps or a net. The 

 forceps are about ten or twelve inches in length, provided with fans 

 of a circular or other form, and are covered with fine gauze. They 

 are held and moved as a pair of scissors. The net is very easily 

 made. It is of gauze, or any very fine open muslin, made upon a 

 piece of cane of four feet long, split down the middle about the half 



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