34 
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COLLECTING 
alcohol enough water to make 95 c.c. The result will be 95 c.c. of 
50 % alcohol. 
To make 40 % alcohol from 70 % alcohol, add to 40 c.c. of 70 % 
alcohol enough water to make 70 c.c. The result will be 70 c.c. of 
40 % alcohol. 
If one of these illustrations is firmly fixed in the mind, one can, 
working by analogy, make up very quickly alcohol of any desired 
per cent, without laborious calculation or reference to tables. 
Larger or smaller quantities than those indicated in the illustrations 
can be made by using different units of measurement, or by multi- 
plying or dividing those quantities by the proper number. 
However, the collector is recommended to provide himself with 
one or two of those simple instruments, hydrometers or alcoholo- 
meters, with which chemists and distillers test the strength of spirit. 
By this means it is easy to ascertain whether the spirit is fit for use. 
Spirit in which specimens are finally packed for transmission should 
be 15° or 20° above proof. 
It is sometimes found advisable to mix some emetic, crushed 
colocynths or other disagreeable ingredient, with the spirit, in order 
to deter pilferers from appropriating it. 
A collector who resides in a locality for some time would find a 
small distilling-apparatus extremely useful, with which he could 
redistil his supply of weak or foul spirit, or the bad liquor sold to 
him as rum, and thus bring it to the proper strength. 
Cases and Vessels. — The most useful are four-sided zinc boxes, 
18 inches high and 12 inches by 6 broad. On the upper surface 
they should have a round opening of 4 inches diameter, which is 
closed with a screw cover : to fit tightly, a ring of rubber or 
leather is fastened round its margin. Each of these zinc boxes 
should be placed in a closely fitting wooden case, with a lid secured by 
hinges and a bolt, and furnished on two opposite sides with a handle 
of leather or rope. 
The traveller will require from two to four of these cases, using 
them for the reception, and first immersion in spirits, of specimens 
obtained from day to day. The specimens should be kept in them 
for some time, and repeatedly examined until the case is full, or the 
