454 J^-; MICHIGAN SURVEY, 1905. 



which serves the same purpose. In this way the drawers fit close to each 

 other and no space is lost. 



The doors of the case may be of glass or paneled with wood. A thin strip 

 of rubber set just inside the jamb, so that the door will press tightly against 

 it when closed, serves as an efficient dust protector. It is a great nuisance, 

 as well as a constant source of expense, to attempt to have a glass cover for 

 each individual drawer. Cases made as above are practically dust proof. 



Each tray should have a neat label giving the serial number, the name 

 and the locality of the specimens it contains. A box, bottom-side up, can 

 be used for separating the genera and species in each drawer. Small labels 

 of convenient size for designating them can be had, already gummed, at 

 any bookseller's. 



PACKING SPECIMENS. 



Small specimens should not be mixed with large ones, as they are apt to 

 get lost; nor should fragile shells be put in with stronger ones, as they are 

 likely to be broken. The minute specimens can be put into gelatine cap- 

 sules, small vials, quills or paper tubes made by rolling writing paper around 

 a lead pencil, gumming down the edge and stopping the ends with cotton. 

 Don't mix shells from different localities. Write the locality on a label 

 and wrap it up with each vial or package. Use plenty of cotton in packing 

 fragile shells. Pill boxes and match boxes are convenient for packing pur- 

 poses. Wrap up each vial or box separately, then if a smash does occur 

 there is a fair chance of saving some of the specimens and no danger of 

 mixing the contents of different packages. Don't send paper boxes by 

 mail. It is simply tempting Providence. Pack in a wooden box. 



IV. 



METHODS OF KILLING AND DISSECTION. 



''Specimens of Polygyra and Limax may be easily kept in captivity by 

 placing them in a box in which there are about four (4) inches of earth cov- 

 ered with dead leaves. The earth must be kept moist. The box must be 

 kept covered with mosquito netting or tarlatan. The mosquito netting 

 will be sufficient for adult individuals, but the young Limax would escape 

 easily through its meshes." 



''Two pairs of fine scissors will be necessary, one pair with straight points^ 

 the other with curved points; one or more fine scalpels, and two pairs of 

 fine forceps, one straight and the other curved. A pair of stronger forceps 

 and a pair of fine pliers will be needed to remove the shell of Polygyra. Dis- 

 secting needles are also necessary. These can be made by forcing the heads 

 of fine needles, by means of a pair of pliers, into the end of a round stick 

 of smaller diameter. The point of one of these needles should be bent so 

 as to form a hook, first heating the end of the needle to a white heat." 



" I have tried all of the various methods recommended for killing Polygyra 

 and Limax, and find only one that is uniformly successful, and that is drown- 

 ing. In using hot water and various chemicals, in nearly every case the 

 animal is more or less contracted, and thus rendered useless for the purpose 

 of a successful dissection. In drowning the animal I have used a fruit- 

 preserving jar, as being more convenient than a wide-mouthed bottle. This 

 jar should be completely filled with water, so that, when the cover is fas- 

 tened on, there will be no air space left. The animals being placed in the 



