2 
SHELLS, &c. 
If these be found with the animals in them, boil them for a few 
minutes, and then remove the contents. Afterwards rub with sweet 
oil, or strong soap-suds, by means of woollen or cotton cloth. 
Unless the re be some external covering, or appendage, so delicate 
that it would suffer injury, by such a method of cleaning. If the 
shell consist of more than one piece, keep all the parts together, 
and be particularly cautious that the hinge is not injured. Land 
and fresh water shells should be obtained, as well as those of the 
sea. Also, crabs, lobsters, <£c. ; the shells only, of the larger 
ones need be sent, and should be well washed in fresh water , before 
drying. The smaller crustaceous animals that may be preserved 
in spirits, should also be first well washed, to remove all foreign 
matter ; otherwise they may be lost, notwithstanding their immer- 
sion in spirits. All but the last mentioned, may be kept safe, by 
packing in sand, as mentioned in the section on insects. Corals, 
brainstones, sponges, &c. &c. should also be collected. The 
places where found should be carefully noted down ; also their 
habits, uses, popular names, both among landsmen and seamen, 
&c. &c. as directed in the preceding section. 
PLANTS. 
To preserve these, they may be placed between folds of news- 
papers, or the leaves of large books, and a sufficient weight put on 
lop to keep them smooth, when dry. The whole of small plants, 
even to the roots, may be taken ; if large ones, branches — in flow- 
er if at the proper season, — twelve or more inches long. But few 
ought to be put in between the same folds or leaves, otherwise they 
will be liable to mould. Should they shew indications of this, they 
must be exposed for a few minutes to the sun, or be shifted to other 
papers. When dry, they may be gently washed with a diluted solu- 
tion of corrosive sublimate, to defend them from insects ; if too 
strong it will change their colour ; care is therefore requisite. In 
humid countries, and moist seasons, their drying had better be ex- 
pedited by artificial heat. Put several, separated from each other, 
by sheets of paper, between two planks, and place them in a stove, 
or oven, after bread is taken out ; when dry, change the papers. 
Those that are very watery, and apt to continue vegetating for 
ninths after gathering, should, as soon as procured, be plunged a 
minute or two, into boiling water, and then be placed between folds 
of paper ; they will rapidly dry, as this process will have deprived 
them of life. The plant should be so placed, as to show its natu- 
ral position whilst growing. These herbais, or books of plants, 
when perfectly dry, should be packed in boxes well covered with li- 
quid pitch, to prevent the depredations of mice, insects, &c. It 
will also be well to inclose in the box a little camphor, or cotton 
soaked in turpentine, or some- other aromatic substance. Fruits 
should also be gathered ; the dried ones packed in boxes, with num- 
bers corresponding to those of the dried plants, to which they be- 
