10 
MEMORANDA IN REFERENCE TO THE NATURAL HISTORY OPERATIONS. 
All the alcohol used should he supplied with tartar emetic. This, besides adding to its pre¬ 
servative powers, will remove any temptation to drinking it on the part of unscrupulous per¬ 
sons. 
Insects can, with the exception of lepideptera, he readily preserved in alcohol ; crabs and 
small shells may likewise be treated in the same manner. 
The specimens from each locality should be kept entirely separate. This can readily be done 
by means of the lino bags. The locality of the specimens may be marked with a red or black 
pencil on the outside, or written with ink on a piece of parchment and dropped inside. The 
ink should be perfectly dry before being wetted. Larger specimens may have the parchment 
label tied to some part without enclosure in the bags. 
As the instructions contained in the “ Directions” are not sufficiently minute in regard to 
plants, it will be necessary to go here into some detail. The portfolios provided are intended 
to receive the plants as collected. About forty or fifty sheets of the paper should be put into 
the portfolio on starting out on an excursion. Put the specimens of each species in a separate 
sheet as fast as gathered from the plant, taking a fresh sheet for each additional species. On 
returning to camp, place these sheets (without changing or distributing the plants) between the 
brown drying-papers in the press, and draw the straps tight enough to produce the requisite 
pressure. The next day the driers may be changed, and those previously used laid in the sun 
to dry. This to be continued until the plants are perfectly dry. 
If paper and transportation be limited, several specimens from the same locality may be com¬ 
bined in the same sheet after they are dry. 
Throw into each sheet a slip of paper having a number or locality written on it correspond¬ 
ing with a list kept in a memorandum book. Kecord the day of the month, locality, size, and 
character of the plant, color of flower, fruit, &c. 
If the stem is too long, double it or cut it into lengths. Collect, if possible, half a dozen 
specimens of each kind. In the small specimens, collect the entire plant so as to show the root. 
It will not be possible to collect minerals, fossils, and geological specimens in very great 
quantity of large dimensions. The fossils selected should be as perfect as possible, and especial 
care should be paid to procuring the bones and teeth of vertebrate animals. Of the minerals 
and rocks, specimens as large as a hickory-nut will, in most cases, be sufficient for identification. 
All facts relating to the habits and peculiarities of the various species of animals should be 
carefully recorded in the note-book, especially those having relation to the peculiarities of the 
season of reproduction, &c. The accounts of hunters and others should also be collected, as 
much valuable information may thus be secured. 
The colors of the reptiles and fishes when alive should always be given. 
MEMORANDUM OF APPARATUS FOR MAKING COLLECTIONS IN NATURAL HISTORY, SUPPLIED TO THE 
SEVERAL PARTIES OF MAJOR I. I. STEVENS. 
1 . Tivo leather panniers, supplied with back-strap for throwing across a mule. One of these 
is intended to contain the copper kettles, and their included alcohol, together with the nets and 
other apparatus; the other to hold the botanical apparatus, skins of animals, minerals, &c. 
2. Tiro copper kettles in one of the panniers, to contain the alcohol for such specimens as 
require this mode of preservation, viz: reptiles, fishes, small quadrupeds, most insects, and all 
soft invertebrates. The alcohol, if over eighty per cent., should have one-fourth of water 
added. 
3. An iron wrench, to loosen the screw-caps of the copper kettles, when too tight to be man¬ 
aged by hand. 
4. Tico India rubber bags, one for each kettle. These are intended to be inflated inside of 
the kettles, and by displacing the alcohol cause it to rise to the edge of the brass cup, and thus 
