10 



captured and preserved, to be produced along with the state- 

 ment of its occurence, that statement would be of little value, 

 unless the observer were an accomplished ornithologist, and 

 had actually handled the bird in order closely to examine and 

 determine it. Suppose a Squid or a Cuttle Fish be obtained. 

 The fact (with the lat. and long.,) would be worth recording, 

 but not unless the specimen were preserved also, unless the 

 observer were a student of this particular class of animals, 

 and knew, or could determine from his books, the exact 

 species ; for the known kinds of these animals are numerous, 

 while many yet doubtless remain unknown. 



So with Fish, with Crabs, Shells, and all other animals ; 

 unless the observer be a student of these particular kinds of 

 animals, and able of his own direct knowledge, or from his 

 general acquaintance with the subject, authoritatively to de- 

 termine the species from well selected and often rare and 

 costly books, there and then on board, his notices of them 

 would be of little value, unless accompanied l>y actual speci- 

 mens of the things spoken of. But if so accompanied, so 

 simple a thing as a reference to them by a numbered label, 

 would at once save him from all trouble and anxiety on this 

 score, leaving it to his arrival at port, to settle these points by 

 the aid of others, or to leave that portion of the business 

 entirely in their hands. This bringing home of specimens in 

 elucidation of notes and observations need not be a never- 

 ending matter. Once done, it may not, for that particular 

 kind, need repetition. One or more preserved examples of a 

 kind may be kept by the Collector, which once named may 

 serve for future references, or his observation will become 

 quickened, enabling him to appreciate and retain a firm 

 recollection of the particular points of specific distinction. 

 Very many specimens of high scientific interest, may be 

 preserved and packed in such a way as to be readily accessible 

 for reference, without occupying more space, than may easily 



