of a net made of fine muslin and having an opening left in the 



bottom in which a four or six ounce phial is tied. If the sea- 

 water be permitted to strain through such a net, either by pouring 

 it from a pail or other vessel, or towing it at the stern of a boat, 

 the solid matter will be retained and, after a time, collect in the 

 phial, which can be removed and another substituted. The stain 

 occasionally observed on the surface of the sea in some latitudes 

 as well as the minute organisms causing the luminosity of the 

 ocean, yield rich crops of Diatoms, and should be secured. Such 

 gatherings may have a small quantity of spirit added and then 

 be closely corked. The collection of aquatic plants from the 

 mouths of rivers are extremely desirable, such as have been made 

 in the delta of the Ganges yielding interesting results. The re- 

 fuse of dredging often yields old shells, mud, or Algae, and col- 

 lectors will do well to secure such. 



One thing is always to be borne in mind in all cases : write the 

 label distinctly, in ink, giving the exact locality, date of collec- 

 tion, and name of collector. 



ARTHUR M. EDWARDS. 



No. 49 Jane Street. 

 New York, 



United States, 



