226 TAGG—NOTES ON MUSEUM-METHODS 
submerged, For some specimens of Classes II. and III., some 
tubers and bulbs, it has given good results, and it has, as Chalén 
points out, the advantage of being practically harmless to work 
with. 
c. Camphor-water. 
This is recommended by Setchell and Osterhout! for pre- 
serving large collections of alge for several hours if they cannot 
be studied at once. 
The method is to throw on to the surface of the sea-water in 
which they are left some chips of camphor-gum, which, though 
sparingly soluble, has powerful antiseptic properties. 
On several occasions when collecting sea-weeds, at times when 
the usual preservatives have not been available, I have found that 
a liberal use of camphor will prevent the encroachment of putre- 
factive organisms for a considerable time, but beyond this I have 
had no experience with camphor as a preservative in museum 
work. 
da. Salicylic acid. 
A saturated solution is employed at times, but the preservative 
is little resorted to, as the specimens become flaccid and soft 
and in some cases much macerated. Chlorophyll and most other 
colours are destroyed although the formulz following have given 
fair results in the special instances mentioned. 
1. For fruits—the amount of glycerine to vary with their 
relative juiciness :—? 
I oz. salicylic acid. 
5 gallons of water. 
a little glycerine. 
N 
. For dark-coloured grapes :— 
I oz. salicylic acid. 
8 oz. alcohol. 
2 gallons of water. 
e. Fluorides of Sodium. 
The fluorides of sodium, sodium-fluoride and soduine bifluoride 
have been recommended as preserving fluids for pee and 
1 Bot. Gaz., xxi., 1896, p. 142. 
* Bailey, fue: book, p. 187, 
