266 TRANSMISSION 



professional aid. My friend, Mr. William Thompson, 

 of Weymouth, proffers his services in this line ; and 

 as he is a gentleman of scientific acquirements, as well 

 as great local knowledge in marine zoology, and as 

 he has laid himself out for this object, I am certain 

 no one is hetter fitted to supply what is most suitable 

 for either public or private Aquaria, on reasonable 

 terms. The preceding pages will be some guarantee 

 for the riches of Weymouth Bay. 



Transmission of Specimens. — Both plants and ani- 

 mals should be forwarded to their destination as soon 

 after they are collected as possible ; but, if they are 

 detained, they may be kept in pans of sea-water, 

 exposed to the light. The vessels, however, must be 

 protected from heavy rains, as the admixture of a 

 large quantity of fresh water would be fatal to both 

 plants and animals. Should much rain have fallen 

 on a vessel containing specimens, it should be care- 

 fully tilted, so as to allow the fresh water, which, from 

 its less specific gravity, will be lying on the surface, 

 to run off without mingling with the other. If this 

 be well done, most of the collection, at least that por- 

 tion of it which was nearest the bottom, may be pre- 

 served. 



Living sea-weeds may be transmitted to long 

 distances without water. I used to employ a tin box,, 

 enclosed by a basket. At the bottom I placed a layer 

 of refuse weed, the common Fucus serratus, freshly 

 gathered, and quite wet. On this bed, I laid the 

 growing specimens, arranging the pieces of rock so as 

 not to shake about and injure the plants, until the 

 box was nearly full ; over all, refuse weed was again 



