Miscellanies. 197 



in its original shape, and in this way to let it dry. The writer has found 

 the top of a common paste-board hat box, most convenient for small speci- 

 mens, as having a rim which allows the pins to pass through without hitting 

 the table. In this process the fins should be carefully extended, and nicely 

 fastened with small pins. When quite dry, it may be removed and placed 

 upon a thin piece of board covered with white paper, or otherwise as may 

 suit the fancy; fastened on with a little glue ; and a thin coat of varnish 

 rubbed over it. In this state, it has the natural appearance of a fish 

 swimming ; and as no chemical substance, except a little powdered arse- 

 nic rubbed inside, or should it be preferred, a thin coat of diluted corro- 

 sive sublimate, is necessary to preserve it, the skin is not so subject to 

 fading as otherwise. The eye is to be left in, which when dry gives the 

 entire specimen as in nature. 



There are several specimens thus prepared, at present placed in the 

 museum of the Zoological Society in London ; and both their appear- 

 ance, and the facility that they offer for scientific examination, recom- 

 mend them far above those stuffed in any other manner. 



Should it be required to pack and carry such skins, it is better to leave 

 the finishing and varnishing to be done when they reach their destination. 

 They will travel with perfect safety if laid together without pressure; and 

 a piece of thin paper be placed between each couple. 



Of the fishes of this country, — many of which are both very interest- 

 ing and beautiful, — we have as yet, no good public collection. May it not 

 be hoped, that now, since they can be preserved with so much facility, it 

 will not be long before the commoner species, at least, will be brought to- 

 gether in one museum, for scientific use.* 



23. An Elemejitary Treatise on Astronomy ; hy William A. Norton, 

 late Professor of Natural Philosophy and Astronomy in the University of 

 Neto York. 1839 8vo. pp. 373, and 112 of tables. — This work is designed 

 by the author, chiefly for the use of students in the higher institutions of 

 learning. It is, however, more comprehensive than books of this kind 

 commonly are, and is furnished with a collection of tables and formulae, 

 that it may also be of use to the practical astronomer. The work consists 

 of four parts; of which, the first treats of the determination of the situa- 

 tions and motions of the heavenly bodies ; the second, of the magnitudes 



* Being recently in England, I found that the topic was creating a good deal of 

 conversation among scientific men and collectors ; and I think this mode of pre- 

 serving fishes, may, from its great simplicity, do good here. The specimens I saw 

 were really beautiful ; and came as near to nature, as the subject appears to per- 

 mit. Of course, as in all other things, practice is requisite to render it perfect. 

 We understand that this method has been, for some time, put in practice in the 

 Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, by Mr. Townsend. 



