24 HALF AN HOUR WITH PREPARATIONS. 



which, whatever may be its natural history veracity, 

 will also be certain to give you some information as 

 to the marine animals to be met with in the neigh- 

 bourhood. You are thankful for any assistance, no 

 matter from what source it may come, and you make 

 yourself acquainted with what the local guide-book, 

 or if there be one of a more certain character, with 

 what these have to say as to habitats, &c, and act 

 accordingly. It is not wise to throw away any hint 

 when you are at the sea-side, as you wish to 

 economise your time, and to crowd into your too- 

 limited stay as much enjoyment and information as 

 you can. 



A botanical vasculum is a capital thing to throw 

 over your shoulders, and, with a basket containing 

 a hammer and chisel, one or two small, but wide- 

 mouthed bottles, a walking-stick, and a net whose 

 hoop will double up so as to go into the basket or 

 pocket, and contrived to fit on to the end of your 

 stick, are all you will require. You may think 

 these amply sufficient, and so they are; but we 

 cannot see how you can do with less. As to your 

 dress, that is a subject best left to yourself; only, as 

 a rule, the strongest and oldest will look better 

 after your morning's work, than if you had gone out 

 kid-gloved and fashionably dressed. If you are wise, 

 you will see specially to your boots* that they be 

 thick-soled and hob-nailed. There is a popular and 

 mistaken tradition current that you cannot take 

 cold with salt water, as if there were no dampness 



