400 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XVII. 



few days and then transfer them to stronger spirit, as this will to a large 

 extent prevent them shrivelling up, which they are apt to do in the 

 full strength spirit. After specimens have been in spirit for some 

 weeks they will be found to have become quite toughened, and in this 

 state they will stand transmission in a nearly dry condition for some 

 considerable time if wrapped up individually in cotton-wool that has 

 been soaked in spirit and squeezed nearly dry. 



It must b9 borne in mind that any spirit used for fresh specimens will 

 gradually become weaker on account of the fluid and fatty matters 

 that are extracted from the specimens, and after a time it will sink 

 below a point where it is useful as a preservative, Unless it be re- 

 distilled, there is nothing to be done but throw it away. 



Before placing fishes in spirit they should be washed wilh water so 

 as to remove the coating of slime, and a deep, incision must be made 

 alono- the abdomen, if the whole of the viscera are not removed, so 

 that the preservative may quickly and effectively reach all parts of the 

 structure. Fishes with fragile scales, that are easily rubbed off — such 

 as the Herring family — should be put in separate bags, or wrapped in 

 a piece of muslin. 



As mentioned in the previous part of this paper regarding reptiles, 

 &c, there are many considerable advantages in the use of formalin 

 instead of spirit as a preservative medium, and as more information 

 regarding its use is now available, I shall enlarge somewhat on what I 

 then wrote about it. Commercial formalin is really a 40 per cent, 

 solution of formic aldehyde, and now costs as little as 15s. per gallon in 

 London. In Bombay it is obtainable at Rs. 1-8 per 16-oz. bottle, 

 say Rs. 15 per gallon, but as it is used for preservative purposes in a 

 much diluted state, it is far and away cheaper than any alcohol, and is 

 in addition much more portable, as the required solution can be made up 

 on the spot with either fresh or salt water. 



Formalin is now-a-days almost universally used by anglers for 

 preserving minnows and other small fishes that are intended for dead 

 spinning baits, and the recognised system for so doing is given in the 

 " Fishing Gazette'' as follows.—' 1 Thoroughly clean the minnows from 

 " all glutt by placing them in a colander and allowing the water to run 

 " freely over them from the tap, mixing them with very clean hands. 

 " Have ready a clean, wide-mouthed bottle; place, say, 3 dozens in, it ; 

 :i then add as much water so as to merely cover them, ad ding a teaspoon- 



