11 



be spared, even where room is so much an object, as on board 

 ship. There are of course, small shells, Crustacea, and other 

 objects of little bulk. 



It only remains therefore, to point out the less obvious 

 methods of collecting ; the chief methods of preservation ; 

 the most serviceable material for both, and to direct those who 

 are desirous of further information to some of the most useful 

 works of reference. 



MAMMALIA. 



Under the term mammalia are comprised all those animals 

 which suckle their young, including not only quadrupeds, 

 ordinarily so called, but also the seals and the more fish-like 

 creatures of the whale and dolphin kinds. These aquatic 

 animals are rare in museums, and many species are very 

 imperfectly known. Instances of their being met with are 

 well worth recording, and specimens should be preserved 

 whenever practicable. When it may be inconvenient to save 

 the skin or skeleton, the skull should at any rate be secured. 

 Notes of the date and place of capture, and whether occurring 

 singly or in shoals, as well as of any other circumstances that 

 may be noticed, should be recorded in a note-book at the 

 time, or be written on a label and attached to the specimen. 



Many of these marine forms are found only in high lati- 

 tudes, and out of the general course of trading vessels. Such 

 specimens as may be met with should be made the most of. 

 The dugongs of the Indian seas and the coast of Australia 

 are great desiderata in England ; as are also the lamantins of 

 the West coast of Africa, and the manatees of the West Indies 

 and the coasts of Guiana and Demerara. 



The skeletons as well as the skins of these are much wanted, 

 and both may be preserved from the same creature. There is but 

 little skill required in either operation. The skin may easily 

 be taken off the carcase : as much as possible of the flesh and 



