70 CLASSIFICATION OF FISHES. 



is to render them, if possible, air-tight, to prevent the 

 evaporation of the spirits. The best liquor, perhaps, 

 that can be used, is spirits of wine ; but this is very- 

 expensive, and cannot always be procured. We believe, 

 however, that the common rum of the West Indies is 

 equally efficacious ; and, indeed, pure spirits of any 

 sort will answer the same purpose ; but Mr. Yarrell 

 confirms what we have also experienced, that the com- 

 mon English gin, as sold in the shops, is so much 

 adulterated, that it is quite unfit for this purpose ; so that 

 its only qualities seem those of destroying living men and 

 dead animals. Next, in regard to the specimens, they 

 should not be so much crowded as to press upon or 

 against each other, so as to cause injury ; it would even 

 be adviseable, where many are put into one bottle, that 

 a little cotton or tow be inserted between them; or each 

 may be wrapped in cotton, or even sewed up in a thin 

 calico bag, before being put in the spirit. Where it is 

 intended to form a large collection for transmission to 

 Europe, and glass bottles are not to be procured, a small 

 keg may be used as a substitute; and one end should be 

 left open until a sufficient number of specimens are 

 procured to fill it : these may be placed in layers, 

 alternately, with a thin one of cotton or tow, and the 

 spirit progressively added, as the filling goes on, taking 

 care that no greater quantity of the liquor is put in at 

 one time than is sufficient just to cover the specimens ; 

 by this precaution they will be preserved compact, the 

 liquor will have time to insinuate itself into the bodies, 

 and the replenishing can proceed gradually. When the 

 cask is full, the head is to be again fixed, and the su-« 

 tures secured outside by pitch, to prevent leakage. 



{66.) WTien any particular notes are made as to the 

 colours, habits, or other peculiarities, the most effectual 

 method of identifying the specimens is, by attaching to 

 them a small label of thin lead, whereon is stamped a 

 number, agreeing with that of the catalogue. This 

 will supersede all necessity for taking notes on the 

 structure, or of such particulars as can be seen in the 



