11 
to the weather for any length of time, may be thereby materially 
altered. Specimens of all of the most characteristic varieties must 
be selected. One of the best situations for procuring these, and 
examining rocks, is in the section afforded by cliffs on the seashore. 
If it be desirable to obtain a specimen from a rock, which, owing 
to its height, is inaccessible, and it be found to incline more or less 
to the horizon, observe the direction in which it dips, and by fol- 
lowing the course a short distance, you will probably be enabled to 
supply yourself. A sketch of a coast, or cliff, however slight, fre- 
quently conveys more information, respecting the disposition and 
relation of rocks, than a long memorandum. In this case, num- 
bers should be marked on the sketch, corresponding to the layers 
from whence the specimens with similar numbers, were taken. A 
person should not be deterred from collecting, by seeing that the 
place he happens to visit, has a forbidding aspect ; or the rocks 
nothing attracting in their appearance ; for it is frequently the case, 
that facts and specimens in themselves of little consequence, be- 
come valuable by subsequent comparison ; therefore, scarcely any 
observation, accurately recorded, will be thrown away. All spe- 
cimens should be wrapped in tow, cotton, moss, or leaves, and 
then in paper ; the label mentioning locality, &c. being enclosed. 
These should afterwards be tightly packed in a box, so as to pre- 
clude the least motion ; and the outside be well defended from air, 
moisture, &c. by a coating of pitch. 
There are many articles not enumerated under either of the pre- 
ceding heads, that would nevertheless be very acceptable. Such 
as books, pictures, prints, specimens of statuary, casts, dresses, 
ornaments, culinary utensils, implements of husbandry, weapons 
of war, instruments of music, 'tools used in the arts, medals, coins, 
&c. &c. Indeed, almost any thing from abroad, illustrating the 
manners and customs of other people, however trifling in itself, or 
common where it belongs, will be an acquisition to a Cabinet in- 
tended to contain all that is curious, and more especially, ail that is 
useful/ 
Articles intended for lbs U. S. Naval Lyceum, may be directed 
to the IT. S. Naval Store-Keeper, at either of the following men- 
tioned Navy Yards, vis : New- York, Portsmouth, N. H., Boston, 
Philadelphia, Washington, D. C, Norfolk, Va., and Pengaoola. 
