THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 75 



have not yet specifically determined, is rather commonly to be 

 met with in dredging in Western Port on a weedy bottom ; 

 another of smaller size I have identified as Ghlorinoides 

 coppingerii, Haswell. It also is from Western Port, but prefers 

 a shelly bottom, and is generally decked with small pieces of 

 shells. An individual of this species I freed from most of its 

 clothing and placed in a jar with some broken shells and weed 

 in the boat, and after arriving home, on examination in the 

 evening it was fully clothed as exhibited to-night. 



In the Dromidae, a widely separated family from the above, 

 most of its members protect themselves by carrying on their 

 backs such objects as an ascidian, a sponge, or a valve of a 

 lamellibranch mollusc. These are held in position by the hind 

 legs, which are placed subdorsally and specially modified to fulfil 

 this function. The body is subglobular in shape and very robust, 

 and it is astonishing how large and heavy the burden often is 

 that they bear, but that they are thereby afforded effective conceal- 

 ment is very evident. Amongst several species shown to-night 

 that were dredged in Western Port are two that may frequently 

 be found — viz., Dromia ciliata, Henderson, and D. australiensis, 

 Haswell, the latter so far only having been recorded from Port 

 Denison and Port Jackson. 



The habit of the " Hermit "Crabs is too well known to need 

 any explanation. Three species are shown on the table, 

 amongst which is the little Eupagurus laceriosus, var. nana, 

 Henderson, which, according to Whitelegge's "Crustacea of the 

 Trawling Expedition of H.M.C.S. Thetis" exists very plentifully 

 near Sydney. 



A METHOD OF PRESERVING CRUSTACEA. 

 By O. A. Sayce. 

 {Bead before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 9th July, 1900.) 

 A method of preserving small animals without the need of their 

 being kept in a fluid, and yet to remain supple and of natural 

 appearance, is a desideratum of importance. By this means, 

 besides a saving of glass jars or containers, with alcohol or its 

 equivalent, it allows of more ready handling and examining of 

 specimens ; and further, during a collecting excursion far from 

 home it simplifies the packing of tin?- material on return, as well 

 as affording other benefits. 



For animals of a soft structure, or those containing large fluid 

 cavities, such as the Vertebrata, they would require the careful use 

 of special hardening reagents and secondary treatment, and so 

 far I know of no satisfactory method ; but for forms with a firm 

 outer skeleton like the Crustacea, and such as Star-fish and 

 Sea Urchins, I have confidence in recommending the following 



