37 



fork, deeply and quickly, or they will evade pursuit. Immer- 

 sion in water to cleanse them is necessary to display their 

 beauty. Those forming hard tubes generally attach them to 

 shells, stones, &c. All these creatures can only be preserved in 

 spirit ; and those kinds forming tubes should be preserved in 

 them undisturbed ; or at least some example should be so saved. 

 It is not always easy to prevent the animals slipping out ; 

 when they do so, the tube should be put into the bottles with 

 them. 



STAR-FISH AND SEA URCHINS, SEA ANEMONES 



AND ZOOPHYTES, ACALEPHS OR JELLY 



FISHES, CORALS AND SPONGES. 



With the exception of the Jelly Fish, which are best secured 

 by the towing net, while swimming near the surface, all the 

 above creatures are to be procured by searching along the 

 shore at low tides, and by the use of the trawl and dredge. 



Star-fish may be preserved dry ; very small kinds without 

 any other preparation than a brief immersion in spirit. All 

 large Star-fish should have the flesh removed. To do this, 

 cut from the mouth to the lip of each arm, on the under side, 

 with a pair of scissors stout enough to divide the internal 

 frame-work. With a bluntish knife, the fleshy matter 

 may then be easily removed from the centre and from each 

 arm. Soak the skin in spirit, but very briefly, for fear of loss 

 of color, and pin out the specimen on a piece of soft-board 

 and place it in the sun, or before a fire, or in a strong current 

 of air, so that it may dry rapidly. When thoroughly dry, fold 

 in thin paper. 



Echini, or Sea-urchins, are more difficult to preserve dry, 

 especially those with very large spines. The flesh must be 

 removed through the mouth on the under side ; cut the skin 

 surrounding this, and scoop out the flesh/ but leave in the 

 loose internal framework. Soak in spirit for a short time, and 

 drv as above. 



