28; 



rolled, and canted to let all enclosed air escape, then filled to 

 the bung-hole, and securely bunged up, -with a piece of tin 

 nailed over to prevent the bung getting loose. In very hot 

 climates it may be necessary to change the spirit a second 

 time before closing up. Much will depend upon the heat, the 

 mass of fish to be preserved, and the strength of the spirit. 

 Bisk of damage will be lessened by putting fish into three or 

 four small barrels, rather than into one large one of equal 

 capacity. To prevent rolling and shaking during the time 

 specimens are being collected, an India rubber bag, or one or 

 more bladders, inflated with air, may be, put in with the fish to 

 keep the barrels always full, and as more fish are put in, a pro- 

 portionate quantity of air can be let out. 



Dr. Giinther, of the British Museum, in some instructions 

 for collecting reptiles and fish, recently issued by him, recom- 

 mends for the preservation and conveyance of spirit specimens 

 the use of square boxes made of strong tin. When jelled with 

 specimens, the top should be soldered on, and the spirit after- 

 wards poured in through a hole punched in the lid until every 

 crevice is filled, when the hole is to be covered with a small 

 piece of tin and securely soldered. These boxes would have 

 to be made for the purpose ; they are the lightest and most 

 compact that can be used, and if made of slightly increasing 

 sizes, may, until wanted, be packed one within the other. 



American naturalists have a modification of this plan. They 

 use tin boxes with as large a circular hole on the top as can 

 be made, into which a brass collar fits to receive an iron lid 

 screwing into it, a washer of leather or gutta percha between, 

 further aiding in preventing the escape of spirit. The advan- 

 tage of these cans consists in the facility with which they can 

 be opened and closed. Empty ammunition cans answer nearly 

 or quite as well. 



When not convenient either to skin fish, or preserve them 

 in spirit, they may be simply salted. For this purpose, cut 



