CCCV1 



ON PRESERVING SPECIMENS OF FISH. 



431. The best mode of preparing specimens of fish for scientific 



purposes is in spirit,* having the following 

 ^On making preparations c ady ntages oyer ^offil^4hat they ail 



more adapted for examination, are carried 

 with greater ease, and are less subject to injury whilst en route. 



432. For preserving fish in spirit, the following five considerations 

 Preserving fish in spirit. should be attended to-(l) the spirit; (2) 



the receptacles for the specimens; (3) the 



selecting and preparing the fish; (4) the treatment of the specimens 

 as regards how they are to be placed in spirit, their labelling, and their 

 packing ; (5) what fish there are for which this process is unsuited. 



1st. The spirit. I prefer the methylated alcohol, it being unsuit- 

 ed for drinking, and consequently less chance of being tamper- 

 ed with. But bazar arrack, or any spirit which will burn on 

 the application of fire, and be entirely consumed, is of sufficient 

 strength for the preservation of fish. On this spirit becoming 

 too impure for use, it can be re-distilled. 



Znd. The receptacle for the specimens. These for collectors (in con- 

 tradistinction to the glass jars or bottles required in muse- 

 ums) are of two kinds : tins with screw lids, and glazed 

 earthenware jars with cork bungs, each having its advantages 

 and disadvantages. Tin cans are made at Calcutta of any pj^ 

 fitting wooden collecting boxes. The following I have found 

 useful: a strong iron-bound wooden box, with a lid having 

 hinges and a hasp for a padlock, 16 inches high, 14 broad, 

 and 12 wide (inside measure), receiving two cans which accurate- 

 ly fit it. Each of these cans has an opening into which is 

 soldered a brass female screw of 4 inches in diameter; a 

 moveable top screws into this orifice (cost about Us. 30). The 

 disadvantage of the cans are that no means of evaporation 

 existing, the spirit is liable to become much heated during the 

 hot weather, to the great injury of the specimens whilst travel- 

 ling. The advantages are that there is no leakage, whilst each 

 tin, if so desired, can be singly carried by a cooly without any 

 chance of breakage. The glazed earthenware jars with cork 

 bungs are very well adapted for specimens, and spirit keeps 

 much cooler in them than in tin cans. The disadvantages are 

 that the bungs may leak, or the jars become broken; they 

 require bladdering, and also painting or varnishing over the 

 bladder to render them secure. Small bottles well wrapped up 

 in rag are exceedingly useful, put inside tins or jars for the 



* I omit weak solutions of carbolic acid, as we have yet to ascertain what 

 proportions will be most suitable for them to stand the rough usage of Indian transit, 

 as well as how long tht-v will keep. 



