14 INTRODUCTION 
EQUIPMENT FOR COLLECTING INVERTEBRATES 
The equipment for collecting upon sandy beaches is a shovel, 
a sieve, anda net. Numerous trials should be made with the 
shovel from about half-tide mark to as deep as one cares to wade, 
and the sand raised should be carefully searched for shells, crus- 
taceans, and worms. By washing out the sand in the sieve the 
smallest specimens, which might otherwise escape notice, may be 
secured. Ona rocky beach a strong knife and a net are suffi- 
cient. Itis well to have a number of homeopathic vials for small 
specimens, which will be injured by contact with larger forms, 
and jars for holding the general collection. 
PRESERVING INVERTEBRATES 
To preserve specimens, they should first be placed in a weak 
solution of alcohol, the strength of which should be increased 
gradually until the animal is entirely free from water and ‘is 
hardened throughout. If the aleohol becomes colored and sedi- 
ment falls to the bottom of the jar, the animal is degenerating, 
and the alcohol should be changed. Specimens for transporta- 
tion can be packed by wrapping each one in a bit of cheese-cloth 
and then placing them together in a large receptacle. Care 
should be taken to keep the fragile specimens separate. Sand- 
dollars possess a pigment which discolors and soon vitiates alcohol, 
and consequently these should be separated from the other forms 
and placed where the alcohol may be changed from time to time 
as appears necessary. The homeopathic vials containing small 
specimens may be put into the can without injury to the other 
specimens. Special cans of various sizes, with handles and screw 
covers, are made for naturalists. One of these cans is a con- 
venient receptacle for carrying the alcohol to the station and 
for receiving the collection for transportation. Careful notes 
should be made on the spot of the conditions under which the 
species are found. One is likely to forget details if this is de- 
layed until one reaches home. Labels should be used, giving 
name when known, or a number when the name is not known, 
