A FIELD COLLECTOR'S MANUAL IN NATURAL 



HISTORY 



Prepared by Members of the Staff of the Smithsonian 



Institution 



INTRODUCTION 



Many of the men serving in our armed forces who have been 

 sent to all parts of the world have a keen interest in the animals, 

 plants, rocks, and other objects about them, and, as their duties 

 permit, find recreation in examining them. It is normal for those 

 who enjoy such activities to wish to know the names and kinds 

 of the things they see. In order to keep specimens for identifica- 

 tion and scientific study or for future display among friends, it is 

 necessary to preserve them in some way. The brief instructions 

 on procedure that follow have been prepared to this end. 



In the wilder sections where our service men are stationed, the 

 military and naval authorities have instituted commendable regu- 

 lations against useless destruction of the native animal and plant 

 life. It is wise that this has been done, as numerous species of birds, 

 mammals, and other forms of life count but few living individuals 

 at any one time, particularly when they are found on small 

 islands, or have a limited range for other reasons. The mere 

 presence of forces of men, with the attendant use of the land 

 for housing facilities and installations concerned with war, in 

 many cases seriously affects plants and animals native to the 



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