148 
LETTERS FROM 
of the land-shells, which contract so when 
killed by hot water, that it is almost impos¬ 
sible to extract them. Indeed, we do not 
attempt to do so with the smaller shells, but 
we put them out of doors in a plate till the 
smell is gone off. I have found that a weak 
solution of the arseniated soap, used for pre¬ 
serving birds’ skins, diminishes the odour 
greatly. 
If you had the power of looking in upon 
us without warning, I fear you would be 
shocked at the untidy state of our apart¬ 
ment. It is in an especial muddle at the pre¬ 
sent moment. Several tables are covered 
with paper trays of shells, or bottles of in¬ 
sects, lizards, and marine animals-; and even 
that on which I am writing is strewed over 
with the refuse of plants, while at the other 
end is my indefatigable companion, with two 
basins before him nearly filled with the ani- 
