Oct. 1836. 



ADVICE TO COLLECTORS. 



601 



Likewise slightly brush over all dried plants with the solu- 

 tion. For collecting insects use a plain strong sweeping-net^ 

 and pack the specimens of all orders^ excepting lepidoptera, 

 between layers of rag in pill-boxes^ placing at the bottom 

 a bit of camphor ; this costs scarcely any trouble^ and the 

 insects^ especially thousands of unknown minute ones^ arrive 

 in an excellent state. Take a good stock of chip pill-boxes — 

 a simple plain strong microscope^ such as that long ago 

 described by Ellis — a good stock of lace-needles, with glass 

 tubes and sealingwax, for the purpose of making dissecting 

 instruments. I need not mention small collecting bottles 

 covered with leather, tin boxes, dissecting scissors, blowpipe 

 case, compasses, mountain barometer, &c. I should recom- 

 mend a sort of work-box fitted up to hold watch-glasses, 

 glass micrometers, pins, string, printed numbers, &c.; and I 

 found a small cabinet with drawers, some lined with cork, 

 and others with cross partitions, most useful as a temporary 

 storehouse. 



Pack up for shipment emry specimen of every kind in 

 boxes lined with tinned plates, and soldered together : if the 

 case be large the specimens should further be packed into 

 light pasteboard or other boxes, for by long pressure even 

 skins of quadrupeds are injured. On no account whatever 

 put bottles with spirits of wine, though ever so well packed, 

 in the same case with other specimens, for if one should 

 break every thing near it will be spoiled, as I found to my 

 cost in one instance. 



When limited either in time, funds, or space, let not the 

 collector crowd too many specimens either into one bottle, 

 or into one case. For he should constantly bear in mind as 

 his second motto, that It is better to send home a few 

 things well preserved, than a multitude in a bad condition.^^ 

 As long as due steps are taken that the harvest may not be 

 spoiled, let him not be disheartened, because he may for a 

 long time be labouring by himself ; let him work hard from 

 morning to night, for every day and every hour is precious 



