PREVENTION OP DECAY. 47 



as are shown in fig. 9. A good plan is to Wash the 

 inside with diluted carbolic acid, or corrosive subli- 

 mate (chloride of mercury) dissolved in spirits of 

 wine (alcohol) : and, at all events, very thorough rins- 

 ing is necessary — otherwise your specimen is likely to 

 become a plague-spot in the cabinet. 



©^But do not fail to remember, that the corrosive 

 sublimate must be used very carefully, by aid of the 

 syringe, since it is a deadly poison. 



Should the yolk of any egg be dry and hard, a 

 small quantity of carbonate of soda may be intro- 



Fig. 9. 



duced (but with great care that it does' not touch the 

 outer surface of the shell, as in that case the color is 

 likely to be affected) ; then fill the egg with water 

 from the syringe, and leave it to stand a few hours 

 with the hole uppermost, after which the contents 

 may easily be removed by the blow-pipe, assisted by 

 one of the hooks. 



"Whenever practicable, the embryos or young 

 found in the egg should be carefully preserved in 

 alcohol, great care, of course, being taken to mark 

 the specimens properly. The better plan will be to 

 keep each set in a small bottle or vial, and a slip of 

 stiff paper or parchment placed inside with the num- 



