THE WONDERS OF THE SHORE. 191 



original level, and prevent the water from getting too 

 salt For the salts, remember, do not evaporate with 

 the water ; and if you left the vase in the sun for a 

 few weeks, it would become a mere brine-pan. 



But how will you move your treasures up to town ? 



The simplest plan which I have found successful 

 is an earthen jar. You may buy them with a cover 

 which screws on with two iron clasps. If you do 

 not find such, a piece of oilskin tied over the mouth 

 is enough. But do not fill the jar full of water ; 

 leave about a quarter of the contents in empty air, 

 which the water may absorb, and so keep itself fresh. 

 And any pieces of stone, or oysters, which you send 

 up, hang by a string from the mouth, that they may 

 not hurt tender animals by rolling about the bottom. 

 With these simple precautions, anything which you 

 are likely to find will well endure forty-eight hours 

 of travel. 



Wliat if the water fails after all ? 



Then Mr. Gosse's artificial sea-water will form a 

 perfect substitute. You may buy the requisite salts 

 (for there are more salts than " salt " in sea-water) 



