39 



killed protruding from their cells, thus affording the best means 

 of examining them, when living specimens cannot be obtained. 



When procured by the dredge, it is less necessary to restrict 

 one's self to rooted specimens, as those brought up will 

 probably be living, having been torn from their hold by the 

 dragging of the dredge. Many of these objects are very 

 dwarfish in size ; minute specimens, therefore, found on small 

 stones, shells, &c., should be saved, and may be put, shell and 

 all, in spirit. 



The Acalephs, or Jelly-fish tribe, vary greatly in size, from 

 that of a pea, to monsters of a foot or two in diameter. They 

 can only be preserved in fluid ; and of fluids, spirit is most 

 generally available. Into this they should be placed as soon 

 as possible after capture ; the small specimens, which should 

 be carefully sought for, chiefly by the towing net, being put 

 into bottles of proportionate size. 



Corals, especially the smaller kinds, and in seas where they 

 are neglected, are well worth collecting ; and the preservation 

 in spirit of small specimens, or fragments of large ones, fresh 

 from the sea, with the animal attached, is worth attempting. 

 Of sponges, there is a very great variety ; and but little labour 

 is necessary in order to their preservation. They should be 

 carefully packed in soft material when dry. 



It is most important that all the various kinds of specimens, 

 here alluded to, should be fully and accurately labelled with 

 the time and place of capture, and any additional information 

 that can be gathered should either be added to the label, or 

 entered at length in the note-book. 



DIATOMACE^E, AND OTHER MINUTE OBJECTS. 



The following instructions are drawn up by the Society of 

 Microscopists of Manchester. The objects to which they 

 relate are exceedingly numerous, both in individuals and 

 species. They will well repay the trouble of collecting, and 

 of any time that can be devoted to their study. A small 



