32 Rev. L. Guilding's Observations 



as the water cools they are to be thrown into strong clear spirit for a few 

 days. The flesh is on no account to be removed ; but before being placed 

 to dry, the animals are to be for a moment immersed in spirit, saturated 

 with corrosive sublimate, which insures their safety. They are now to 

 be placed in rows according to their height, and boards or weights of 

 any kind placed on them till they are dry : or they may be pressed be- 

 tween the leaves of an old useless folio volume, the bent specimens being 

 laid in the central groove, which, as it is closed, will restore the natural 

 attitude : when freed from extraneous bodies, they may be gummed on 

 card of various colors, and the natural tints are easily brought out by a 

 brush moistened with pure oil. Nothing can exceed the simplicity of 

 this plan, or the beauty of the specimens which are thus prepared and 

 secured from the attacks of insect enemies and air. Mr. Frembly's plan of 

 suffering them to die gradually in a covered box is subject to great objec- 

 tions. Even in this sultry climate they will live many days, and will 

 require to be often watched : they crowd on the backs of each other for 

 the sake of moisture and coolness, and putridity at last often advances 

 before the animals can be secured. 



There is another plan of destroying the Mollusea, to which I must call 

 the attention of Zoologists. The examination of Bivalves is attended 

 with the greatest difficulty, from the impossibility, in many cases, of open- 

 ing the valves without rudely cutting asunder the adductorial muscles or 

 breaking the shell at the risk of injuring the inhabitant, or waiting till its 

 death, when it is commonly in a state unfit for examination. I have found 

 that many Acephala, which in a damp cellar would survive for weeks, 

 die in a single night if left in stale sea-vra.ter, with their valves open, and 

 the animal well extended. Sea-water, when exposed to the sun and 

 stale, in a very short time is fatal to the Mollusea, Crustacea, and other 

 marine creatures : while it has the advantages of not causing them to 

 throw off their limbs in the agonies of death, or to shorten their retractile 

 organs. Of course the observer will not omit to keep them for a time in 

 water perfectly fresh, and carefully attend to their habits while they con- 

 tinue in health and vigour. 



Another plan I have long practised with great success for Land 

 Mollusea, and Mr. Gray informs me he has followed it at the British 

 Museum. A glass, or other vessel, with a ground or perfectly even 



