250 SPONGES AND CORALLINES. 



by being immersed in cold fresh water, and they 

 should be left in it for several hours, to free 

 them from the adhering salt, which, if not well 

 washed out, renders them liable to attract mois- 

 ture from the atmosphere and injures the speci- 

 mens. When well washed, separate the upper 

 shells, and remove as much of the fleshy parts as 

 possible ; then carefully dry and pack them. The 

 smaller species may be pierced with pins, like 

 insects, if the consequent bulk of the packages 

 be not an objection. Entire Crustacea may be 

 preserved in strong spirits or brine. 



Sponges and Corallines. Search the line of 

 sea-weed at high-water mark, and the more the 

 latter are covered with small corals and other 

 parasites the better. Never wash them in fresh 

 water, but dry them as they are found. Never 

 wash or squeeze sponges ; the fuller they are of 

 gelatinous or fleshy matter the better. Use un- 

 washed small Fuci as packing, dried, but not to 

 crispness : the boxes should be divided into two 



