44 



Cincinnati Society of Natural History. 



ing subcircular or subelliptical forms with irregular outlines, which 1 

 have been unable to class as spiculie. 



It occurs in the Hudson River Group, at Cincinnati. Thin, shape- 

 less specimens belonging to this genus are not uncommon, but whether 

 they belong to this species is yet to be ascertained. 



DIRECTIONS FOR COLLECTING AND PREPARING 

 LAND AND FRESH WATER SHELLS. 



By A. G. Wetherby. 



A long experience in the collection and preparation of shells for the. 

 cabinet, and the evident want of information on this subject, most im- 

 portant to the student of conchology, as shown by the imperfect and 

 dirty specimens quite usually sent out, are sufficient reasons why I 

 write this article. It may be doubted whether there is really such a 

 thing as a " rare'' species. The fable continually disappears in refer- 

 ence to forms once so considered. Hence diligence and good judgment 

 will usually enable a persevering collector to obtain a reasonable num- 

 ber of examples of any object to be fonnd in his region, belonging to 

 recent fauna and flora. The following rules of action are essential: 



1. Never rest satisfied until you have found the best examples of a 

 species which your time and opportunities will allow. 



2. Never collect imperfect or immature specimens, unless they ex- 

 hibit some character making such a step desirable. 



3. Having found the station which produces the finest specimens, 

 study it carefully, that you may the more easily recognize such sur- 

 roundings again. 



4. If specimens are abundant, collect plenty, and the work on that 

 species will be done at once, save as you meet with desirable varieties. 



5. Remember that if your specimens are good and clean, it will al- 

 ways give you an advantage in exchanges as soon as correspondents 

 begin to recognize this fact. Never pick up a poor specimen with the 

 remark, u this will do for exchange," if good ones can possibly be had. 



LAND SHELLS.. 



The only apparatus needed in the field is the following: 

 One or two small bottles, 1 oz. and 2 oz., half filled with a mixture, 

 two thirds best alcohol and one third water, and well corked. If these 



