22 



TEANSMISSION 



most of the collection, at least that portion of it 

 which was nearest the bottom, may be preserved. 



Living sea-weeds may be transmitted to long 

 distances without water. I used to employ a tin 

 box, enclosed by a basket. At the bottom I placed 

 a layer of refuse weed, the common Fucus serratus^ 

 freshly gathered, and quite wet. On this bed I 

 laid the growing specimens (arranging the pieces 

 of rock so as not to shake about and injure the 

 plants) until the box was nearly full: over all, 

 refuse weed was again laid, filling up all hollows, 

 and so pressing the whole when the box was shut, 

 as to prevent any motion of the stones. The spe- 

 cimens arrived in the best condition, even the deli- 

 cate DelessericB being uninjured. 



Many animals may be forwarded in the same 

 way. The MoUusca, many of the Echinodermata, 

 several of the Crustacea, and all the Actinias are 

 transmitted with more ease and less danger thus 

 than in water. A handful of loose weed, wet with 

 sea- water, to keep a moist atmosphere around them, 

 may be thrown into a canister or jar, and the 

 animals placed in among it. The vessel should 

 not be filled^ nor should any pressure be allowed 

 on the animals ; the weed too, though fresh, must 

 be plucked, as pieces of rock would be injurious to 

 the more tender animals. 



Fishes, however, many Crustacea, most of the 

 Annelida, all Medusae, and the more delicate Zoo- 

 phytes, require to be sent in sea-water. I some- 

 times use wide-mouthed jars of stone-ware, with 

 water-tight screwed tops, several of which may be 

 packed in a hamper ; at other times a large 12 

 gallon zinc pail, protected by a wicker case, with 

 a screw lid, of which the central part is perforated 



