362 Miscellaneous. CHAP. xxv. 



for preserving fish. I should not, however, fail to add a caution about 

 its use, which I may as well give in the words of that eminent naturalist 

 Waterton. 



" A preparation of arsenic is frequently used ; but it is very dangerous, 

 and sometimes attended with lamentable consequences. I knew a naturalist, 

 by name Howe, in Cayenne, in French Guiana, who had lost sixteen of his 

 teeth. He kept them in a box, and showed them to me. On opening the 

 lid, ' these fine teeth,' said he ' once belonged to my jaws, they all dropped 

 out by my making use of the savon arsenitique for preserving the skins of 

 animals.' " 



I, too, have sacrificed sound teeth on this shrine, and lately came 

 across a gamekeeper who was, of course, strong, and active, and 

 healthy, as such men have to be. His sound teeth were dropping 

 out. The cause was found to be the same. He was stuffing birds, 

 and using arsenical soap. If you take my advice you will have 

 nothing to do with it. 



At the same time I am afraid to commend to you Waterton's 

 substitute, corrosive sublimate dissolved in spirits, as I am told by 

 the head of a museum with experience, that the corrosive sublimate 

 never permeates the skin, and that specimens steeped in spirits of 

 wine always go to pieces in time when exposed to the air. 



For preserving in spirits I can hardly do better than add the 

 following : 



REPRINTED FROM THE "NATURAL HISTORY REVIEW," APRIL, 1862. 

 Directions for Collecting and Preserving Fishes. 



1. Collect fishes of every size. The eel-like fishes ought not to exceed 

 36 inches in length ; the broad kinds not 18. Six specimens of each species 

 will be quite sufficient. 



2. Tie to each specimen a label of parchment or of tin foil, on which the 

 name of the exact locality where the specimen is procured is written, or a 

 number referring to a list of localities. 



3. Cut a small slit in the belly of the specimens so as to admit the spirit, 

 but do not remove the intestines.* 



* In tropical climes, decomposition sets in so soon that I think it is better to 

 remove the intestines, notwithstanding the loss. 



