1 INTRODUCTION. 
boxes, which can be handled without endangering the 
contents. Sometimes a set of minute shells may be fas- 
tened to a strip of card, which strip may be put into a tube 
or glass-topped box. Some delicate white shells, such as 
Z. crystallinus, H. pulchella, A. acicula, &e., are better 
shown on black card. In all cases where shells are stuck 
down gum tragacanth should always be used, as it does 
not glaze when dry like gum arabic. In every case a 
label on which is recorded the name and locality should be 
affixed. 
Varieties.—Most species have one or more well-marked 
varieties of form and colour. Though it is of great im- 
portance to secure specimens that vary from the types, 
such specimens should never be labelled or registered with 
any varietal name without some good authority. 
A caution may be useful to the collector not to admit 
into his collection any shell whatever without the most 
conclusive evidence of its being British. I have repeatedly 
been presented with foreign specimens by persons of the 
highest integrity with the assurance that they came from 
such and such a place in the British Isles. On one occa- 
sion a lady gave me some West Indian sea-shells, which 
she positively averred she had picked up in Jersey. Iam 
sure the majority of collectors have undergone similar 
experiences. 
In order that a collection may be of any value, it should 
be, like Czesar’s wife, ‘‘ above suspicion.” 
