(Bulletin of the (Natural History Society. 65 
V. THE COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF 
ECHINODERMATA. 
Like other animals, and, indeed, like all natural objects, 
Echinoderms can only be studied from specimens. As far as 
possible, they should be observed in their own homes and 
under their natural conditions of life. But this is not enough; 
they must be taken away to where their anatomy can be 
studied at leisure and under more favorable conditions, and 
to serve to illustrate to others, and to arouse in them an 
interest in, these forms. How to collect, and, particularly, 
how to preserve Echinoderms, must therefore be an important 
part of our consideration of the grou]). 
There are two methods of taking them, shore-collecting 
and dredging. The best localities for both are found where 
strong but not violent currents of the clearest water flow over 
bottoms of various kinds, but with rock and gravel predomina- 
ting. For shore-collecting those places are particularly good 
where the tide leaves among the ledges pools with bottoms of 
gravel and scattered boulders. To such places the student 
should go at the time of the spring tides if possible, for the 
greater retreat of the water will lay bare many a treasure 
inaccessible at other times. He should go clad in his oldest 
clothes and long rubber boots, carrying with him one or two 
ordinary pails, some small bottles or vials of alcohol in his 
pockets, and a spade for digging in the gravel, the handle of 
which can be used as a lever for overturning stones. A com- 
panion to act as general assistant will be found of great value. 
Then, looking upon the less exposed open places, peering 
under ledges and among boulders, searching among the sea- 
weeds, digging in the gravel, overturning stones and scanning 
their under sides, the student, if his heart be in his work, 
■cannot fail of a rich harvest. 
