38 STJGGESTIONS AND DIRECTIONS FOE FIELD-WOKK. 



speak of the healthfulness of a pursuit that, like the collector's 

 occupation, demands regular bodily exercise, and at the same 

 time stimulates the mind by supplying an object, thus calling 

 the whole system into exhilarating action. Yet collecting has 

 its perils, not to be overlooked if we would adequately guard 

 against them-:- as fortunately we may, in most cases, by sim- 

 ple precautions. The dangers of taxidermy itself are else- 

 where noticed ; besides these, the collector is exposed to vicis- 

 situdes of the weather, may endure great fatigue, may breathe 

 miasm, and may be mechanically injured. Accidents from 

 the gun have been already treated; a few special rules will 

 render others little liable to occur. The secret of safe climbing 

 is never to relax one hold until another is secured ; it is in 

 spirit equally applicable to scrambling over rocks, a particu- 

 larly diflScult thing to do safely with a loaded gun. Test rot- 

 ten, slippery or otherwise suspicious holds before trusting 

 them. •In lifting the body up anywhere keep the mouth shut, 

 breathe through the nostrils, and go slowly. In swimTning, 

 waste no strength unnecessarily in trying to stem a current ; 

 yield partly, and land obliquely lower down ; if exhausted, 

 float — the slightest motion of the hands will ordinarily keep 

 the face above water ; and in any event keep your wits col-, 

 lected. In fording deeply a heavy stone will strengthen your 

 position. Never sail a boat experimentally ; if you are no 

 sailor take one with you or stay on l^nd. In crossing a high, 

 narrow footpath never look lower than your feet ; the muscles 

 will work true, if not confused with faltering instructions from 

 a giddy brain. On soft ground, see what, if anything, has 

 preceded you ; large hoof marks generally mean that the way 

 is safe ; if none are found, inquire for yourself before going 

 on. Quicksand is the most treacherous, because far more dan- 

 gerous than it looks ; but I have seen a mule's ears finally 

 disappear in genuine mud. Cattle paths, however erratic, com- 

 monly prove the surest way out of a diflScult place, whether of 

 uncertain footing or dense undergrowth. Miasm : Unguarded 

 exposure in malarious regions usually entails sickness, often 

 preventable, however, by due precautions. It is worth knowing 



