INTRODUCTION. 11 
should be made, and the extent of the district explored 
should be accurately stated. 
The Arrangement of a Collection. 
Much of the pleasure derived from a collection consists 
in its arrangement. A cabinet with drawers is undoubtedly 
the best receptacle, but a series of flat boxes will answer 
the purpose very well. 
Various methods of setting out the specimens are 
adopted. Some prefer slabs of wood or glass covered with 
stone-coloured paper, on which the shells are fastened with 
eum. ‘This is doubtless an excellent plan for showing off 
the shells, especially in a museum or a perfect collection 
where the shells are not supposed to be touched; but in 
the case of a collection which is constantly receiving better 
specimens to be substituted for those already stuck down, 
this method has an obvious drawback. My own experience, 
in the case of all but very small shells, is in favour of card- 
board. trays, lined with cotton wool, on which the shells are 
easily arranged and are well shown out. The tray method 
has the advantage of allowing the specimens to be easily 
changed, and, if necessary, taken up and handled. These 
trays may be obtained from many London naturalists. 
Pink cotton wool, though in favour with some, has not 
a pleasing effect. | 
Minute shells may be sometimes kept loose in the small 
glass tubes before mentioned, or in small glass-topped 
