258 DREDGING. 



to live shells that is, such as are still inhabited 

 by the living animal but if they cannot be ob- 

 tained, dead shells are better than none, though, 

 for the most part, they are worn and faded. The 

 more delicate species must be packed in cotton 

 or other soft substance, or, in a default of such, a 

 fine sawdust. Shells containing their animals, as 

 well as the naked mollusca, must be preserved in 

 spirits or brine. 



It is necessary to have a rope for 



Predging. 



the dredge from 2^ to 3 inches (60 

 fathoms long); a fine sieve, a bucket and a 

 ladle ; a boat with a small anchor and cable (not 

 less than 30 fathoms), to moor her in the situation 

 where you are going to dredge ; a good stout 

 canoe to convey the dredge away from the boat 

 as far as the rope will allow. The dredge to lie 

 in the bow of the canoe, mouth upwards, handle 

 inwards : when it is conveyed as far as the rope 

 will allow, those in the canoe are to heave that 

 is, turn the dredge over gently into the water, 

 and let it be from five to six minutes, until it is 



