3 
the collection of skins to be arranged in cabinets ; no matter how com¬ 
mon or plain in plumage a bird may be, it should be preserved ; for 
although common in one locality, it may be very rare in others. 
Fish and Reptiles . 
All the smaller ones are best preserved in spirits, following the direc¬ 
tions under the head of mammals. The larger ones should be skinned, 
and if convenient, then placed in spirits; when that cannot be done, 
they should be well dried and packed in boxes, occasionally giving them 
a sprinkling with spirits of turpentine. 
Insects . 
In this branch the Institution collection is very deficient; donations 
from all parts of the world will be thankfully received. Beetles will give 
but little trouble in collecting or preserving; the best plan is to put them 
in wide-mouthed bottles with spirits, not crowding the bottles too much. 
They may be sought for in damp places—under stones, in the bark of 
trees, dung, the bodies of dead animals, and in stagnant water. 
Butterflies, bees, wasps, &c., if packed in layers of soft paper, or cotton, 
will travel quite safely. As the setting of these is attended with some 
trouble, and cannot be always done at the time of capture, it is as well 
to know that they can be relaxed and properly set upon their arrival in 
this country. 
Shells, Coral, fyc. 
Any from Australia or New Zealand will be of value to the Institution 
collection. Land shells from all quarters will be of much interest. 
Birds* eggs, if well authenticated, would be highly prized; but if there 
should be any doubt on this point, they are of little value. 
THE FOLLOWING NOTES ON THIS SUBJECT HAVE BEEN KINDLY 
FUBNISHED BY ME. J. K. LOBD, F.Z.S. 
Birds . 
An efficacious mode of preserving their skins is by means of a piece 
of common yellow soap and arsenic in powder. 
Work up a lather first, just as for shaving, with a sash-tool, dip the 
brush covered with lather into the arsenic, and well rub it into the skin. 
The camphor is best sewn up in the skin in small pieces. 
A solution of bi-chloride of mercury should always be kept for washing 
over bill, feet, and rump. 
Insects . 
In collecting insects, a wide-mouthed bottle fitted with a hung stopper, 
tied over or rather covered with thin leather, should always be carried, 
the leather being tied at the top to form a knob, to aid in pulling out 
the stopper. Fastened to this bung by a bit of fine wire is a small sponge 
