INSTRUCTIONS

FOR

COLLECTING AND PRESERVING

VARIOUS SUBJECTS OP

NATURAL HISTORY;

A3*

QUADRUPEDS, BIRDS, REPTILES, FISHES, SHELLS,
CORALS, PLANTS, &c.

TOOXTHER WITH 4

TREATISE

ON THE

Management of Insects in their feveral States;

SELECTED FROM THE BEST AUTHORITIES,

By E. DONOVAN, f.l.s.

4CTM01 Of TKI SATURAL IIISTORIIS OF BRITISU BIRDS, fIJUIS, INSICTJ, &C

THE SECONT& EDITION.

LONDON:
30J.D BT r. C. AND J. ilVlNUTON, NO. 6"2, ST- PAUl/s ClTUftCH-TAKO.

1805.

fyt and Liw, Printers, St. John'i S^uirs.

A

PREFACE.

S the inftructions Which arc included in the follow in"
lhccts, promife to be of mod utility to the un<
rienccd collector in the form of pocket affiftant, to which
he may Occallonally relbrt for information, we have en-
deavoured to divert them of whatever appeared in
finalleft degree fuperfraoua to tliat defign ; at the fame
time that we were careful to avoid urmeceflary brevity, or
paffing filently over thofe particulars which required to be
placed in a perfpicuous point of view.

We have to obferve as an apology for its publication,
that the breathe on the management of infects, and the in-
ftructions for the prefervation of birds, flfft appeared at the
exprefs rcqueft of many fubferibers to the Natural Hiftories
of Uritifh Infects and Birds, and that we have only exceeded
their folicitations by adding what relates to the prefervation
of animals, fhells, corals, and other natural productions ;
fuch addition appearing to us likely to render the volume
more acceptable to the (tudent in natural hiftory, whofe
•enquiries are not confined to the liudy of birds; or the
lcience of entomology.

With refpect to the practical part of thofe instructions,
it will not be expected that the natural attitude of an ani-
mal, a bird, or an infect, can be given fo well by an un-
lkilful operator as by a profeflional man, who is in con-
ftant practice; it muft rather be inferred that by due at-
tention to the information we have given, he may en'fure
their prefervation from the ravages of thofe del'tructive
mites, and the larva of minute beetles or moths which
breed among the feathers of birds, the hair of animals, or
down of infects, and would deftroy them in the courfe of
a few fummer months, unless prevented by timely pre-
cautions.

Although

PREFACE.

Although we have found it neceflkry to treat of infe&s
in a more extenfive manner than of any other fubjett in
the work, we have principally confined our attention to
the practical part, without entering into any particulars
relative to their fcientific arrangement in the cabinet ; for
however fuch a digreflion might aflilt the ftudent, it would
not only be foreign to our defign, but render the whole too
voluminous for general accommodation.

A practical and fcientific knowledge of infects, are fo
intimately connected with each other, that a competent
knowledge of the former muft be combined with the latter,
before any confiderable proficiency can be acquired ; the
inexperienced entomologift muft not reft fatisfied with the
preferved fpecimens in his cabinet, he muft attend care-
fully to their manners, peculiar pofitions, and many other
circumftances in a living ftate, before he can attempt to
afcertain the fpecies, or even genus of fome kinds.

Many other advantages will remit to perfons of that de-
fcription, from a minute observance of infefts in a living
ftate, but as we care not to expatiate on what may be al-
ready known to them, we lhall conclude with obferving,
that as every perfon, who may feel an inclination to ap-
propriate a few of his leifure hours to the ftudy of ento-
mology, cannot have an opportunity to procure the ne-
celfary inftruftions, and thofe efpecially whofe bufinefs,
or concerns, require their refidence in a diftant part of the
country, we conceive that the prefent treatife will not be
unacceptable ; we fubmit it to the candid perufal of thofe,
whofe exertions in practical entomology it is moft likely to
afiift, but truft that among the variety of other inftruc-
tions which are concentrated from the heft authorities, at
leaft fome will be found ufeful to every clafs of natural
hiftory colleftors.

INSTRUCTIONS

COLLECTING and PRESERVING

VARIOUS SUBJECTS OF

NATURAL HISTORY.

HIE PRESERVATION OF ANIMALS AND BIRDS.

ALTHOUGH Quadruples conflitute one of the mod impor-
tant divilions of Natural Hiltory, we have fcarcely any col-
lection in this country that includes more than a very partial felec-
tion of the fmalleft kinds ; indeed the many unfurmountable difficul-
ties which would offer to a collector in this department, independent
of an immenfe expence, will ever deter the mod affluent, from an
attempt that mult be ultimately unfuccefsful.

Collections of Birds are more frequent both in the living and pre-
J Hate ; they are more engaging in appearance, and require
ar.d trouble.

wing rules may be ufeful to the curious traveller, if he
iu::\!-. o! the rare fpecintens either, of
B Ar.i.

( 2 )

Animals or Birds that he may meet with in foreign countries;
;>nd fhould he even want experience enough to give them their
proper attitudes, he may preferve them free from injury, and
tranfmit them from one part of the world to another without any
apprchenfion of depredation by Infects.

Precautions to be ohferved.

Provide a quantity of allum, arfenic, camphire, fulphur, and
warm fpices ; tobacco, tanners bark, bitter aloes, and fpirit of
v. ine ; fotne cotton, wool, fine tow, and oakum.

ANIMALS

Must be entirely diverted of the flefh ; firft open the fkin with
a pair of lliarp-pointed fciffars, in a ftrait direction from the vent to
the throat, and take away all the infide, fcoop out the brains,
take away the eyes, and with the fciffars cut off whatever flefh you
can from within the head, as the tongue, &c, but leave the (kull ;
during this operation be careful to preferve the mouth, fnout, feet,
and claws perfect, and if any blood, or (limy matter adheres to the
hair, wafh it off with a fponge and warm water : the fkin mud
then be laid on a flat board, or table, and rubbed on the infide with
fome compofition liquor, or powder, until it feels perfectly dry
under the hand. The liquor is thus prepared :

Diflblve fome camphire in a quantity of fpirit of wine, and

thereto add a proportion of burnt-allum and fulphur ; to one ounce

pi the camphire that is diflblved in the fpirit of wine, put

Half a pound of burnt-allum, and

One ounce of fulphur.

Or

( 3 )
Or of Tanners bark well dried and powdered two parts,
Tobacco highly dried one part, and
Burnt-allum one part ; firft bake the allum to a cake
on a (hovel, and reduce it to a fine powder.

Add to every pound of thofe ingredients, One ounce of arfenic,

Ditto camphire,
Half an ounce of fulphur.

Either of thofe compofitions may be prepared at leifure, and kept
always fit for ufe, if the bottles in which they are preferred arc
well corked.

Colonel Dav'ia advifes, to prepare the mixture with a double pro-
portion of.burnt-allum, and to add one ounce of bitter aloes.

Introduce a (Irong wire frame to aftift in giving the attitude, or
to fupport the animal in a ftanding pofition ; then fluff the (kin
either with tow, wool, or cotton, according to the fize of the Ani-
mal, but be very cautious not to dillend the (kin in any part fo as
to give it an unnatural appearance : it will be better to meafure the
exa£l proportion of every part before you take off the (kin.

The eyes are made of glafs, and may be purchafed at the glafs-
bead manufactories, of any fize or colour ; black are thofe which
fuit mod fubjecls, but if it fhould be neceffary to have only a black,
or dark fpeck in the centre of a white bead, it can be blown with a
pipe to a proper fize on the bead, or painted with oil colour ; how-
ever, to prevent obltaclcs, it will be mod advifable for travellers to
purchafe a complete affortment. — A5/f. Open the eye-lids very wia.-,
and introduce the bead into the foeket, the bead axu\ be fome-

B 2 what

A

( ♦ )

what larger than the true eye, that it may fill up the fpace ; then
draw together the eye-lids and adjuft them fo as to leave a proper
opening.

For convenience, the Animal may be tranfported from the Indies,
or any difhnt part of the world, and the intended attitude may be
given after it has arrived, only be careful to pack it up in a clofe box
with a quantity of tobacco and camphire.

But the beft and moft expeditious method, if the fize of the Ani-
mal will permit, is to plunge it into a bottle or barrel of fpirits ;
in this manner it will retain the fize and proportions infinitely bet-
ter, than what the utmoft fkill of man can imitate, by any attempt
to (tuff* the fkins only. Obferve to cover the mouths of the bottles
with tin foil, or with a compofitien of melted refin and borax.

Experiments have been made to preferve the fkins of Animals,
with part of their flefh and bones within, fo as to give the exa£l dU
menfions of the living creature ; for this purpofe they are opened as
before defcribed, the entrails taken out, with all the flefh that can
conveniently be cut away ; the brains, eyes, tongue, &c. ; alfo cut
off" the flefh on the fides of the ribs as low as pofiible and fcrape the
bones, then rub the fkin well with the preparing powder, and fill
up every vacant part with the fame compofitien, of burnt-allum,
tanners bark, &c. as before defcribed ; but add fome wool and cot-
ton, or tow, which has been fteeped in fpirit of wine and camphire ;
then few up the opening. It mufl after this preparation be baked
ia a flack oven, but the heat mull be fo exactly tempered as not to
fcorch the hair.

BIRDS.

I 5 )

BIRDS.

The different methods of preferving Birds perfectly agree in moll
refpecls with thofe for the prefcrvation of Animals ; only as they are
generally fmaller, they are more difficult to prepare, and a greater
number of inftruments will be required.

Provide a quantity of different fized wires, if nealcd it will be
bell ; a variety of coloured glafs beads, thofe which are black
may have artificial irides painted on them, and wilt fuit many
fubjccls ; a blunt pen will do very well to take away the brains
with, if the Bird is fmall ; but large fpecimens will require a fmall
fcoop; a pair of nippers, to ailift in taking out the entrails; wire
clippers, fmall awls, fmall files, knives, fciffars, &c.

Open the Bird along the breaft, (if neceffary from the vent to the
throat) anJ ftparate the (kin on each fide from the flefti, take out
the entrails, &c. ; then proceed to cut out the flefh, and (o much of
the bones as you can conveniently ; or it will be better to take off
the (kin, and only leave the bones of the head and thighs ; fcoop out
the brains, eyes, tongue, roof of the mouth, &e. and drew the (kin
with preferving powder ; introduce two (tout wires (according to the
fize ( f the Bird), which have been (harpened at their points, through
the foles of the feet, up the legs, and clofe to the breaft ; leave an
inch or more without the feet, when you cut off the wires : at the ends
which reach the breaft the wires are interwoven with three others,
one whereof palles up the neck, and through the head and noflril,
where it mud be cut off, or filed fmooth ; the others pafs one

into

( 6 )
into each wing : two more are united to thofe in their defcent, and
are patted into the tail. Thus prepared the infide mull be (Irewed
with the preferving powder, and filled with fine dry tow, or cotton,
(and fome mofs if convenient.) Obfenx, that if the fluffing has been
before fteeped in fpirit of wine, it will be better ; and you may put
a quantity of mufk, or camphire, into the body with the tow.

Begin at the vent with, your needle and filk, and as you few up the
(kin add as much fluffing as the (kin will bear without tearing ; pafs
your needle from the infide outwards, which will prevent the feathers
being in the way. When you have t :.;iiely clofed the opening lay
the feathers fmooth on the bread, fo as to conceal the fewing ; then
introduce the eyes into the fockets. The two pieces of wire which are
left through the foles of the feet are intended to fix it in the cafe ; if
you mean to have it perched on a (lump, or branch, you are to make
a hole through the wood, and pafs thofe wires through. The Birds-
mull be baked in a (lack oven until all the moifture is exhaled; the
proper degree of heat may be known by putting a feather into the
oven ; if it is fcorched, or curled up, the heat is too great.

PLATE I. Fig. I.

To affift the defcription we have added a Plate of the wire frame,
ufed in (luffing a fmall fpecimen of the Bittern, or Heron tribe ;
mod other kinds may have the wire frame conflrucled in a fimilar
manner.

Obferve, that the crevices in the cafes which are to receive the
Birds, are to be (lopped up with fhifier of Paris, fo as to entirely
exclude all external air ; and when the fronts are glazed, do not omit
to put a quantity of camphire into each cafe, as that alone will greatly

con-

!

( 7 )
contribute to dertroy the infects which always breed in the feathers of
fluffed Birds. If at any time you difcover fragments of feathers at the
bottom of the cafe, it is a fign of the depredations of infects, and
do not delay to open the cafe, and burn a quantity of fulphur in it
for an hour or more ; this will in mod circumftances deftroy the in-
fects until the following feafon, and no way injure the Bird ; but
fbould it prove infufficient, bake them as before, and the larvas of
the infe&s will be inevitably deftroyed.

Birds arc fometimes preferred in fpirits, during a voyage ; in
this cafe, it is proper to wrap each fubjeel up in a piece of fine
linen, to prevent their receiving any injury, either by rubbing againft
one another, or the fides of the veffels which contain them.

The legs of many Birds fade immediately after death, the beak is
liable to the fame change ; and fome have caruncles, or fleihy
protuberances, which alfo lofe colour, as the neck of the CafTowary,
wattles of the Cock, neck of the Golden Vulture, &c. all thofe de-
fects mud be remedied by painting the parts, as near as poffible to
the natural hue, with oil colours.

The natives of the Papau IJIands, it is reported, have a peculiar
method of prefervlng the (kins of the lefler Birds of Paradife ; they
take out the entrails, fear their infides with a red-hot iron, and
put them into hollow pieces of bamboo. Similar practices on Birds
of this, or other countries, will perhaps render it very neceflary,
when (luffed fpecimens are received, to examine whether a quantity
ot the flclh is contained within the fkin, and if fuch flefli has not
bun properly prepared, it fliould be immediately cleared away ,
for this purpole wrap the Bird in a >■ .*. cloth, and let it remaio
8 therein

( 8 )

therein for two or three hours ; it will be fo much relaxed by this
treatment that it may be opened and the flefh taken away.

It may be alfo relaxed by holding it a few minutes over the fleam
of boiling water, or by being put into the earth and covered over for
a few hours. It is a practice with feamen to fluff the fkins of Ani-
mals and Birds with faw-duft, which anfwers very well for their pre-
fervation during a voyage, but if permitted to remain within the
fkin for any confiderable time after, it may ferve as a nidus for In-
fects, which, being hatched, will entirely devour the fkin and fea-
thers, or hair.

If you wifh to preferve the neft and eggs, it will only be neceffary
to blow out the contents of the eggs, and faflen them into the neft
with gum or glue.

REPTILES.

( 9 )

REPTILES, FISHES, Sec.

Very little preparation is nccefTary for any of the fubjY
fall under this head, they are bell preferred in fpirit of wine, and
only require to be warned clean from all ilimy matter before they are
put into the bottles.

Some fpecies of Reptiles, and a few of Fifhcs, may be preferred
by opening them, and taking out all the infide, then being ftrcwed
with the preferring powder, and filled with tow ; after which they
fhuild be covered with two or three coats of copal varnifh.

The exuviae of Serpents may be fluffed and varniflied la this
manner.

If you wifh to preferve the frcletons of fmall Reptiles, fufFocato
and put them into an Ant's neft ; in a few hours they will devour the
flefh and leave the llvclcton entire. We have the fkeletons of fome
very fmall fpecies which were received from China, they were
prepared in this manner, and although feveral among them fcarcely
exceed half an inch in length, -1! the bones are properly difpofed and
perfectly clean.

TREATISE

OB Tat

MANAGEMENT OF INSECTS.

C a

1

TREATISE

OK THI

MANAGEMENT OF INSECTS.

TN SECTS are diftinguifhed from other Animals by the wonder-
ful changes that all, except thofe of the feventh clafs (aptcra *),
pafs through.

Antient writers were not acquainted with the transformations of
Infects, as appears very plainly by the erroneous fuppolitions gene-
rally entertained ; neither was the myftery entirely explained till the
latter end of the lad century, when Malpighi and Swammertfam
made obfervations and experiments on Infcdts under every appear-
ance, and by differing them ju(l preceding their changes, were en-
abled to prove, that the Moth and Hutterfly grow and ftrcngthen
themfelves, and that their members are formed and unfolded, under
jure of the Inl .11 Caterpillar.

• Ap'crrus Infra? are thofe without wings, is the Tills, Spiders, Crabs, th« Wood-
loufe, Scolo periar.c, &c.

The

( H )

The fucceffion of its transformations are, the Larva or Cater-
pillar is hatched from the egg.

From the larva it pafies into the Pupa, or Chryfalis ftatc*

From the Pupa or Chryfalis, into the Imago or Fly date.

THE

r »s )

THE EGG.

The eggs of an Infe3 arc always fmall, compared with the fizeof
the Infect itfclf ; they vary in number and figure in different fpecies;
fome arc round, others oval; fome are cylindrical, and others nearly
fquare ; the (hells of fome arc hard and fmooth, while others arc
foft and flexible. It is a rule, but is not invariable, that the cggJ
iicvcr cncrcafc in fizc after they are laid.

They are found of almoft every (hade of colour, and are always
difpofed in thofe fituations where the young brood may find a con-
venient fupply of proper food ; fome Infecls depofit their eggs in
•he oak-leaf, producing there the red gall ; others caufe a fimilar
appearance on the poplar-leaf, and the red protuberances on the
willow-leaf, and the termination of the juniper branches arc pro-
duced by like means : the leaves of fome plants are drawn into a
globular head by the eggs of an Infect lodged therein ; and many
curious circumflances relative to this ceconomy might be noticed it
the nature of our plan would permit.

The Phryganca, Libellula, Gnat, Ephemera, &c. hover all day
over the water to depolit their eggs, which are hatched in the water,
and r.r.nain there all the time they are in the larva form. Many
Moths cover their eggs with a thick bed cf hair which they gather
from their bodies, and others cover them with a glutinous compofi-
tion, which, when dry, protects them from moifture, rain, and
cold ; and the Wolf-Spider carefully preferves its eggs in a filk bag,
which it carries on its back: by fome Moths they are glued with
great fymmetry round the fmaller branches of trees, or are fecreted
tenea'h the bark, and frequently in the crevices of walls, in hollow
/talks, &C.

THE

( *6 )

THE CATERPILLAR.

All Caterpillars are hatched from the egg, and when they firft
proceed from it are fmall and feeble, but their (trength increafes in
proportion with their fize ; a diftinguifhing character of the Cater-
pillar of a Lepidopterous Infect is not having lefs than eight, or
more than fixteen feet.

The Caterpillar, whofe life is one continued fucceffion of changes,
moults its fkin feveral limes before it attains its full growth ; thofe
changes are the more fingular as it is not fimply the fkin which is
caft off; but with the exuviae we find the fkull, the jaws, and all
the exterior parts, both fcaly and membranaceous, which com-
pofe the lips, antennae, palpi, and even thofe cruftaceous pieces
within the head, which ferve as a fixed bafis to a number of
mufcles, &c.

The new organs are under the old ones, as in a (heath, fo that the
Caterpillar effects its change by withdrawing from the old fkin when
it finds it inadequate to its bulk.

Thofe Caterpillars who live in fociety, and have a neft, retire
there to cafl their exuviae ; fixing the hooks of their feet firmly in
the web during the operation. Some of the folitary fpecies fpin at
this time a (lender web, to which they affix themfelves. A day or
two before the critical moment for its moulting, the Infect ceafesto
eat, and lofes its ufual activity, the colours gradually become weaker
and the Caterpillar more feeble, the (kin hardens and withers, the

creature

( '7 )
creature lifts up its back, (tretches itfelf to the utmoft extent, fort-c-
rimes elevates its head, moving it a little from one fide to another,
and fuddenly letting it fall again ; near the change, the fecond and
third rings are fecn to (well conlidcrably ; and by repeated exertions
a Hit is made on the back, generally beginning on the fecond or
third ring: through this divilion the new Ikin may be juft perceived
by the brightnefs of its colours ; the creature prcfics through like a
wedge, and thereby feparates the (kin from the firfl to the fourth

ring, which fulficicntly enlarges the aperture to admit the Cater-
pillar through.

The Caterpillar commonly fads a whole day each time after re-
peating this operation : fome Caterpillars in changing their (kins,
from fmooth, become covered with hair ; while others, that were
covered with ruir, have their laft (kins fmooth.

The food of Caterpillars is chiefly or entirely of the vegetable
kind. The larva: * of Beetles live under the furface of the earth, and
prey upon fmaller Infects, on the roots and tender fibrils of plants,
or on filthy matter in general ; indeed in the lad date beetles are mod
commonly found in putrid ficlli, or in the excrements of animals.

When the Caterpillar has attained its full fizc, and all the parts of
the future Moth, or Butterfly, are fufficiently formed beneath tha
(kin, it prepares to change into the chryfalis or pupa ftatc ; fome
fpin webs, or cones, in which they enclofe themfelves ; others dc-
fcer.d into the earth and conceal themfelves in little cells which they
form in the light loofe mould ; fome arc fiifpcnded by a girdle which

* Larva ii a term ufually applied to the fecond Hate of all Infects, except thofc of Moths
and Butterflies, which ire called Caterpillar!,

D partes

( i8 )

pafles round the body, and is fattened to the fmall twigs of trees ;
and Caterpillars of Butterflies connect themfelves by their pofterior
extremity to the flalks or leaves of plants with their head down-
wards.

The length of time Infe£ts live in the ftate of Caterpillars is al-
ways the fame in each individual fpecies, yet very few fpecies pre-
cifely agree to the fame period for their changes ; fome live two or
three years, others only a few months, or even weeks, before they
pafs to the pupa or chryfalis ftate.

Preparatory to the change, the Caterpillar ceafes to take any of
its food, empties itfelf of all the excretnentitious matter that is con-
tained in the inteftines, voiding at the fame time the membrane
which ferved as a lining to thefe, and the ftomach ; and perfeveres in
a ftate of inactivity for feveral days. At length, by a procefs fimilar
to its former moulting, the outer fkin, or flough, is ca(t off, and the
creature thus diverted of its laft fkin is what we call the Chryfalis.

PUPA,

( »9 )

PUPA, CHRYSALIS, or AURELIA.

The words Aurelia or Chryfalis are equally ufcd to exprcfs that
inadlive ftate which enfues after the Caterpillar has changed, for the
great purpofe of preparing for the Imago, or transformation to the
Fly. Aurtlia, is derive! from the Latin aurutn, and Chryfalis from
the Greek, and are both intended to fignify a creature formed of
gold ; this however is giving a general title, from a very partial
circumlhncc, as the colour of a confidcrable number are black, or
dark brown, while the refplendence of gold is only feen on the
Chryfalidcs of a few fpecies of the Papilio, or Butterfly. The term
Chryfalis fhould therefore be ufed to fignify only thofe of the Butter-
fly kind, and Pupa for the Phalxnrc, or Moths, as well as thofe of
Sphinxes, or Hawk Moths.

That very intelligent naturalift M. de Reaumur explains the caufe
of this brilliant appearance ; it proceeds from two fkins, the upper
one a beautiful brown, which covers a highly-polifhed fmooth white
Ikin : the light reflected from the laft, in parting through the upper-
inoft, communicates this bright golden yellow, in the fame manner
as this colour is often given to leather, fo that the whole appears
gilded, although no gold enters into that tincture.

The exterior part of the Pupa is at firfl; exceedingly tender, foft,
and partly tranfparent, being covered with a thick vifcous fluid, but
which drying forms a new covering for the animal.

The time each Infccl remains in this ftate is very eafily afcertained
by thofe who once breed them, as they always remain the fame fpace

D 2 of

( 20 )

of time, unlefs forward;d or retarded by heat or cold, but in diffe-
rent fpecies they vary confiderably ; for example, the Papilio Atalanta
{Red Admirable) remained only twenty-one days in Chryfalis, from
the 1 2th of July to the 3d of Auguft, but the Phalana Oo. [Heart
Moth) remained from the beginning of October till May following ;
and many fpecies remain a very confiderable time longer than this.

When the Infect has acquired a fuitable degree of folidity and
ftrength, it endeavours to free itfelf from the cafe in which it is
confined ; and as it adheres to a very few parts of the body it
does not require any great exertion to fplit the membrane which
covers it ; a fmall degree of motion, or a little inflation of the body
is Sufficient for the purpofe ; thefe motions reiterated a few times,
enlarge the opening and afford more convenience for the Infeft's
efcape ; this opening is always formed a little above the trunk be-
tween the wings, and a fmall piece which covers the head. Thofe
fpecies which fpin a cone, gnaw or pierce an aperture large enough
for their emancipation.

The Moth immediately after emerging from its cafe is moifl,
with the wings very fmall, thick, and crumpled ; but they rapidly
expand under the eye of the obferver, and in a few minutes have
attained their full fize ; the moifture evaporates, the fpots on the
wings, which at firft appeared confufed, become diftinct, and the
fibres, which were before flexible, become ftiff and hard as bones.

When the wings are unfolded, the antennas in motion, the tongue
coiled up, the Moth fufficiently dried, and its different members
ftrengthencd, it is prepared for flight. The excrementitious dis-
charge which is voided by molt Infects at this time M. de Reaumur
thinks is the laft they eject during their lives.

INSTRUC-

( 31 )

INSTRUCTIONS

COLLECTING INSECTS.

Insects are collected in every ftate, though in the Caterpillar,
or Chryfalis, they are preferred, not only as the time of their ap-
pearance in the winged ftate may be then carefully attended to, but
tlicv will not be fo liable to disfigure and damage their tender mark-
ings, as thofe which have been in the wind or rain ; and if they are
taken with care from the breeding-cage immediately after their wings
have attained a proper fize, they may be preferved free from any
injury to thofe beautiful feathers, which are generally much difcom-
pofed in fuch Infects as are taken in flight.

There are fome which cannot be found in the Caterpillar ftate ;
or if found, cannot be provided with food ; thofe are generally of
that kind which collectors term internal, or underground feeders,
and either fubfift on fome fubftance unknown to us, or which we
cannot readily fupply. The larvas of Beetles and many other kinds
of Infects, are of this defcription : numbers of the Moth tribe have
hitherto only been taken in the Fly ftate, and are fuppofed to feed

in

( & )

in the night ; they live in cells which they form in the earth, and
come up in the evening to feed, but defcend again into their
cells before day-break ; it is therefore that fome Aurelians have
fought for Caterpillars by the light of a candle or lanthorn, and have
been very fuccefsful : the mod valuable infects have been difcovered
by this means.

Infects are found in almoft every fituation, the fummits of the
loftieft trees, and the Ioweft herbage equally abound, and the gra-
dations between fwarm with an infinity of fpecies : the collector
mull be therefore fupplied with a different apparatus, according to
the ftate in which the Infects may be found ; thofe in prefent ufe,
though few and fimple, require very little improvement, as they
anfwer every neceffary purpofe. We fhall enumerate the following
articles, which are indifpenflbly ufeful to the collector,

A large Bat-fowling-net,

A pair of forceps,

A number of corked boxes of various fizes,

Ditto fmall pill boxes,

A fpare box with cramps, and

A pincufhion well (lored with pins of different fizes.

PLATE II. Fig. i.
reprefents the Bat-fowling-net, fitted for ufc.

Fig. 2.

flicvvs the frame, which is made entirely of cane,, or of light wood,
with a cane bow at the top ; it fhould unfkrew, or disjoint at a, a, a,
for the convenience of being conveyed in the pocket.

Note, This frame fhould not be lefs than four or five feet in.

length, when fitted together.

8 Th«

» -

_

4

( n )

The net is to be made of Scotch gaufe, not very fine, and bound
entirely round with a broad welt, doubled to form a groove into
which the (ticks arc to flip : — this bordering may be excepted at d d,
but the gaufe at bottom mult be turned up about fix inches and form
a bag ; each flick or frame when the pieces are fitted together, is to
pafs into the groove at b b, flip up to c, and be there fattened by a
piece of tape through a loop or hole; let the whole be drawn tight
and each lide at b b be tied to the nails ; the handles are to be held
one in each hand, when the net is ufed.

With this net it is intended to catch Moths on the wing, and that
purpofe it anfwers very effectually, as it may be inftantly opened or
folded together, and fecure the Infect between ; even Infects of the
fmalleft kinds cannot efcape, if the net is not damaged and the
gaufe fine.

It alio anfwers well for collecting Caterpillars. — Expand the net
immediately under the bufh, or branch you mean to examine,
another perfon may beat or fhake the bufh with a flout flick, and
not only a number of Caterpillars will fall down, but many of the
minuter kinds of coleopterous, and other Infects alfo ; Moths re-
main torpid and fhelter in the bufhes in the day time, and by
beating are ery often taken, as they cannot readily fly away when
they fall into the net.

PLATE I. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.

The forceps are about ten or twelve inches in length, are made of

ftcel, and may be purchafed at the hardware (hops ; their fans are

made either of a triangular or hcxargular form, and are covered

wiih fine gaufe ; they arc held and moved as a pair of fciflars, and

they can be conveniently ufed arc to be preferred, as the

In feci

( 24 )

InfecT: is more confined, and not fo liable to rub off its down as
when taken in a laiger net. If an Infect is on a leaf, both leaf and
Infecl; may be enclofed in the forceps ; or if it be lodged againft the
trunk of a tree, paling, or any fiat furface, you may very conve-
niently entrap it ; when you have it between the gaufe, prefs with
your thumb, (or thumb nail if the creature be fmall) on the thorax,
rather fmartly, but not fo as to crufh it ; you may then fhake it into
your hand to fet it, without any apprehcnfion of its flying away : or
you may put the pin through the thorax while the Infedt. is confined
between the gaufe, open the forceps and take it carefully out by
the pin.

CATER-

( 25 )

CATERPILLARS.

Most Caterpillars lurk among the lowed herbage in the nigh1
time, begin to afcend early in the morning, and about noon are
found feeding on the tons of their rcfpe£livc plants ; they defcend
gradually as the fun declines, and at the c!ore cf the evening arc :•
concealed in the low ! night feeders afcend in the evening,

and defcend as morning approac!

To collect Caterpillars it is only ncceffary to expand the f<>\
net, or a large fhect, under the branches, then beat them with a
flick or pole, and the Caterpillars will be fhook down with the frag-
ments of the foliage and broken twigs.

When you have procured the Caterpillars, be particularly att
to note the plant on which you found each fpecies, and funply them
plentifully with frefli food every day of that kind; only obferve if
they are moulting they muft not be difturbed, or the ftale food be
removed, but give a frefli ftipply when the creature has recovered
its flrcngth.

Infects in this ftate are rar :ly found on plants which do not aTord
nourishment to their fpecies, but it fonictimes unfortunately hap-
pens th.it ilragglcrs arc taken on fome particular herbage, altogether
of a different nature to its proper food ; and indeed in feme caf j
the moll Ikill'ul practical emtymologifts are deceived, the Caterpillar
rcfufes to eat of the proff-rcd plant, and dies. Some * will de\cur

As the Phal.is a A lljtt, Vjpour M ;h ; snj ill the Tj&ert.

E indif-

( 26 J

indifcriminatcly the leaves of aim oft every fpecies of plants, and are
therefore called general feeders ; fome * are more limited in this
particular, but feed on feveral kinds ; others * are defigned to eat
the leaves of two or more plants, and a few fubfift on one
fpecies only "f".

Neither can any certain criterion be formed as to the part of the
plant, for though moft Caterpillars devour the leaf, fome fubftft on
the roots*; others on the buds §, flowers, fruit ||, and indeed on
every other part ** of the plant, fhrub or tree.

It is not always poflible if one kind of food cannot be procured
with convenience, to determine from the quality of that food, what
other kind will belt fuit the creature ; fometimes plants of the moft
oppofite nature have nourifhed the fame Caterpillar. The Phal.'ena
Ar.tiqua has devoured leaves of the thorn, and of the rofe ; and
has throve well when fed on the poifonous laurel, and the deadly
nightfhade.

They fhould always have an abundance of food, for fome kinds
devour a very conliderable quantity in a few days: the Papi uo
BrcJJlca, Cabbage Butterfly, eat in one day twice its own weight
of food.

♦ Phalsna Pavor.'m, Emperor Moth j on the rofe, bramble, fruit trees, &c.

• Phal.sna fertafci, Water Betony Moth, on the mullein and water betony.
f Papilio Vunka, Tortuile-flicll Butterfly, on the nettle.

J Pha\jEna Prcr.ubj, Large Yellow 'Jnderwlng, on the roots of graft.
Phal^na Humu/i, Ghoft, on ths roots of burdock.

§ Phal«.n a SalUtlla, Rofe -.lo'.h, on the rofe buds.

|| I'll.', isss P:m:r:c//a, Codling Moth, in the Apple.

** Pkaljena PJ1, Grey Dagger, bark of fruit and willow-trees.
Sphinx Ap'iformit, on the internal part of the wood p i|
1'nAL.tt.A Cojj'ut, Coat, on the internal part of the wood of moil rices.

Dodlor

( 27 )

im Bellaidii a learned and ingenious Botanift of
Turin, difcovercd, about fix wars r.go, after a number of experi-
ments, a new method of feeding Silk-worms, when they are
hatched before the n-.ulberry-trecs have produced leaves, or when it
happens that the frofl deftroys the tender branches. Whether this
difcovery may be applied with equal propriety in other inftanccs
feems ..t pre!. termined, though from fome recent experi-

ments we are inclined to beli-.\e the pollibility of feeding Caterpil-
lars in backward feafans in this manner; we have tried ieveral
Caterpillars which were nearly full fed on the Leaves of thorns and
oak fo prepared, and have obferved them to eal it when no other
food was given, but cannot fay how they may thrive if f.d on that
aliment alone. This new method conlills in giving the Caterpillars
the dried leaves of their ufual food, powdered and mcittened ; and
repeated experiments, fays our author, prove that they (the Cater-
pillars of Silk-worms) prefer it to any other, and eat it with the
greatcft aviditv. The leaves mutt be gathered about the end of au-
tumn, before the frofl commences, in dry weather, and at times
when the heat is greatcft. They mull be dried afterwards in the fun,
by fpreading them upon large cloths, and laid up in a dry place after
they have been reduced to powder. When it ii Decenary to gi\e this
powder to the Caterpillars it mould be gently moiftened with a little
water, and a thin coat muft be placed round the young worms, which,
will immediately begin too feed upon it.

THE BREEDING CAGES

May be made of deal, in the form reprefented :.t Tic. 2,
PLATE I. with a frame door covered with j;aufe, or crape, to
admit frelh air; and a hole in the bottom thrcugh which the

E }

( 28 )

{talks of the plants may be put into a phial of water to preferve

them frefli.

Thofe cages fhou'd never contain more than one kind of Cater-
pillar, as fome fpecies devour others ; and indeed, if left without
focd, will devour thofe of their own kind alfo.

" Let not the boxes which are taken in the pocket for Cater-
pillars, nor the cages made for breeding Infers be made of deal or fir,
except they be well lined with paper ; for the effluvia of the turpen-
tine, raifed by the heat of the pocket, or that of the fun, is ex-
tremely ; ial to them, and feldom fails to deftroy the greateft
part of the Caterpillars contained therein for any length of time.
The caufe of the deaths of the Caterpillars, found at the bottoms of.
cages or pocket boxes, is generally attributed to buifes got in beat-
ing the trees for them at the time of collecting them, which is a
great miftake, as thofe which happen to be injured in beating,
fclclom die till the time of changing their (kins, or of their transfor-
mations, and will neverthelefs eat heartily till either of thefe times
approach. If the infide of the cages or boxes be well lined with
paper, as aforefaid, and air-holes made in the fides and tops, cover-
ed with crape, canvas, &c. to admit air, it will in a very great
meafure prevent the above ill efFeSs.'' Harris.

Put a finall quantity of moid earth, about an inch deep, at the
bottom of every cage, but if the Caterpillars are large, more in pro-
portion ; always allowing a fufficient quantity for them to bury in.

The cages muit never be expofed to the fcorching rays of the fun;

en the contrary, place them in fome cool fhady fituation.

And

f aj )

And the Chryfalides fhould be prefcrved in fomc cold, or moid
place, in the winter ; for by being kept too dry the earth about them
will ibforb the nutritive moiflure from the Animal, thereby not only
weakening it, but hardening the (hell, fo that its ftrength will be
infufEcient to built tfpen the cafe when it fhould come forth ; and
thus enclofed it mufl perifh mifcrably.

The larvae of many Infecls that feed beneath the furface of the
earth may be bred by the Aurelian in the following manner : let
any box that is about three or four feet fquare, and two or three
feet deep, be lined or covered externally with tin, and bore through
the fides and bottom a number of very minute holes : put into this
box a quantity of earth that is replete with fuch vegetables as you
are certain the Caterpillars fubfift on, and fink it into a bed of earth,
fo that the furface may be expofed to the different changes of the
weather, unlefs the fun is very hot, or the rain heavy ; you may
then put the Caterpillars into the box, and to prevent their efcape,
cover the opening with brafs or iron net-work.

PUPA.

( 3° )

PUPA.

We have before obferved, that Infects taken in this (late are molt
likely to be perfect and vigorous, and are therefore more generally
fought for by Aurelians than even when in the Caterpillar Hate.
Some Chryfalides are buried in the earth ; fome penetrate into rotten
wood ; and fome lie concealed underneath the bark of trees.

An instrument after the form of a hoe or trowel is ufed when you
fearch for thofe of the firft kind ; and the only places worthy atten-
tion are at the roots of trees, as oaks, elms, &c. or beneath the un-
derwood : open the earth clofe to the tree and fearch to the depth of
feveral inches.

Such as penetrate into wood, require more care left they be de-
ftroyed when the attempt is made to extricate them ; found on the
bark with a flick and you will difcover hollows where no external
figns are vifible ; tear off the bark, and with a knife cut away the
wood that furrounds the orifice of the cavity to enlarge it, and take
out the Chryfalis as carefully as poifible.

Whether found in the wood, or adhering to the infide of the
bark, it fhould be preferved with the fame fubftance in the breed-
ing boxes ; and if found fpun up on the branches of trees, or in
the mould, manage to adjuft them in a fimilar manner in the boxes.
—They muft be handled as little as poffible, and be very careful

not

( 3« )
not to prcfs on any part ; as the lead rough treatment will cither
kill or cripple the Ioie& within.

Swammenlam ufed to hatch the eggs, feed the larvx, and prc-
fcrve the pupa of aquatic Infects, in a (hallow dilh, which he
covered with white paper, occafionally moiitcned, and pierced in
fevcral parts for the admiflion of air.

PERFECT

( 32 )

PERFECT STATE.

It is in this ftate we find an immenfe quantity of Infects, of
whofe Lame or Caterpillars we are altogether ignorant ; and indeed
fuch are the difpenfations of Providence to this inferior rank in the
fcale of animated nature, that many are provided with the means of
fubfiftence, in the moft fecret fituations ; they are hatched in the
midlt of plenty, and inftincl prompts them not to remove from it ;
but when they are matured that fame inftind bids them burft the
fhackles of their bondage.

Such as wifh to colled, fhould pay a proper attention to the ftatc
of the weather ; if it proves fine, and the fun emits much warmth,
Infects are very brifk ; but if a cold or windy day it will be only a
fruitlefs toil to attempt collecting, as all Infeds at fuch times
fhelter within the herbage, and inftead of flying upward, as ufual
when difturbed, they dart into the thickeft of the underwood ; or
if once they rife above the bufhes, they are impetuoufly hurled by
the current of the wind, far beyond the reach of the fowling-net.

" The Garden TFhhc is as good a token for fine weather as may
be ; when thefe flies are out in a morning, it feldom or ever hap-
pens but a fine day enfues. This fly is alfo called a Tally for the
Swallowtail, which appears from the Chryfalis at the fame time of
the year." Harris.

Fa'

( 33 )
For the fmaller kinds of lepidopterous Infects, before fun-rife or
after fun-fet ; though many may be taken by beating the bufhes in
the day time.

Butterflies arc abroad in the day time only ; and the belt time
to collect Moths on the wing, is during the night, efpecially an
hour or two after fun-fet.

At day-break many Infers are on the wing ; and mod kinds
arc obftrved in hot weather to come forth after rain, to enjoy the
humidity of the air, which is then damp but warm. This is the
beft time for collecting, as their wings are lefs liable to (tiffen be-
fore they can be fet.

The males of fome, if not of every fpecies of the Moth tribe,
and perhaps of other Infects alfo, by a very aftonifhing faculty, arc
able to difcover the females at a great diflance, and in the molt fecret
fituations ; this has been before noticed by Barbut, Harris, and
others ; and fome collectors have endeavoured to find the male In-
fects by this means ; they enclofe the living female in a breeding-box,
and pbee it as near the ufual haunts of the fpecies as convenient, the
males will generally be obferved foon after, fluttering on the box,
and endeavouring to g:>in admifllon to the female. This experiment
is generally practifed with fuccefs on the Frx, andEgger, Moths.

Every fpecies has a diftindt time for its appearance, and this
punctuality is furcely forwarded or retarded a few days, except by
the unufual mildnefs or inclemency of the feafon : if you difcover
a brooJ of Infects at a certain time of the year, precifely or nearly
at the fame period of the year following, you will find a brood of
the fame fpecies ; unlefs by accident they have been deftroyed. It

F is

f 3+ )
S true that fome Infects are very variable in this particular *, and
appear in one feafon but difappear the next ; which however will not
be obferved with molt kinds.

It is alfo to be remembered that certain fpots of ground, or par-
ticular fituations, fhould always be noticed ; thofe are termed by
collectors the haunts of Infects, and however unneceflary this may
appear, experience will enfure, that fome kinds are confined to one
certain fpot, and are not to be found in any other part of the fame
•wood ; fo that having once difcovered the haunt of an Infect, you
may be able every feafon to take fome of that fpecies ; cr p.'raaps
oftener, as fome kinds have two or more broods every fummer.

The fequeftcred vale, the hill, meadow, garden, and even dung-
heap, are the uftial haunts of certain fpecies ; the Ph. Humuli
has been called the Ghoft, not only from its white colour, but
as being generally found in church-yards, where an abundance of
burdock is permitted to grow ; the Ph. Grossulariata, Large
Magpie or Cm rant Moth, is mollly found in gardens; the Ph.
FestucvE invariably near marfhes ; the Heath Moth receives its
Englifh name from the fituations it is always difcovered in ; and the
fpecies of Butterfly known to collectors by the name Chalk-Hill
Blue, is taken on the chalky hills and pits leading to Darcnt IVood,

* The Sphinx Comnlvuli, Convolvulus Hawk Moili; and the Papilio Wyclt,
Clouded Yellow Butterfly, were common about London in the year 1781, but have been
very fcarce ever (ince, ei'pecially the former : and th- Papi 1. 10 Cardm, Fainted Lady, fome-
times difappeais for feveral years ; the year before I ail ihey were taken even flying in the ftreets,
but bit feafon few, if any, were feen : and the Papilio Amkfa, Crand Surprize Butter-
fly, or Catr.berwell Beauty, was difcoverea feveral years fince in the vicinity of Camberwell ;
it again di (appeared for fome years ; two feafons fijice feveral fpecimens were taken in different
parts of the kingdom, but lad fummer we cannot learn that even a fingle fpecimen was
feen.

e a little

( 35 )
a little cliltancc beyond Dartford, Kent ; the ufual haunts of the Red
Arches Moth, is among the oaks, &c. within the intricacies of the
wood ; but of the Scallop-Shell Moth, the flcirts or lanes near ;
tlie Meadow Broun Butterfly, in meadows; the Gothic Moth,
Igunft banks ; and mod coleopterous Infects, or Beetles, in
dung, &c.

Hj\ing now given an outline of all the rules whiih appear ncccf-
fary for the purpofe of collecting Infects, we fhall proceed to their
prefervation, which above all will act as a particular incitement to
the early collector, who it is fuppofed would feci very little plcafure
at the recollection that all the fruits of his toil in one feafon would
be deftroyed in the next ; or at beft that his fpecimens would only
retain a wretched vcftige of their original perfection.

F 2 SETTING

( 36 )

SETTING AND PRESERVING

or

INSECTS.

Collectors are generally fatisfied, if they can obtain the In-
fect in its laft, or fly date, but as a few inftru&ions for the prefer-
vation of the Egg, Caterpi lar, and Chryfalis, may induce fome
future Naturalifts to enrich their cabinets with fuch fpecimens, in
addition to the Infect itfelf, we have felefted a few particulars for
their purpofe.

THE EGG.

The eggs of moft Infedls retain their form and colour well, if
preferved in the cabinet, but thofe which do not promife fairly, may
be prepared after the method practifed by Swammerdmn ; he ufed to
pierce the eggs with a very fine needle, and prefs all the contained
juices through the aperture ; then inflated them until they regained
their proper form by means of a fmall glafs tube, and laftly filled
them with oil of fpike, in which fome relin had been difiolved.

THE

{ 37 )

THE CATERPILLAR.

The prefcrvation of Infects in this date, is not only one of the
molt curious, but ufeful difeoverks that have been made in this de-
partment of fcience. They may be preferved by being plunged into
phials filled with well rectified fpirits of wine : this method fhould
ever be preferred by thofe who colled in a diltant country, if their
fubjects are not likely to be injured by fuch a procefs, the moft
delicate Caterpillars will retain their exact fize, but the fpirits will
generally extract the colour, and from thofe efpecially which have
Tery tender (kins.

But the manner in which Svammerdam preferved his Caterpillars,
completely obviates this deft % and if carefully managed, it not only
preferves the exact fize, but generally retains the colours as per-
fectly as in the living creature.

He ufed to make a fmall incifion or puncture in the tail, and
having very gently and with much patience preffed out all the con-
tained humours, injected wax into them, fo as to give th^m all
the appearance of healthy living Infe&s. Jn this manner he has
preferved many very fmall fpecimens.

There is another method which is more generally known tc col-
lectors; it cenfifts in taking out all the ir.iklcof the Caurpillar, and
inflating the fkin by means of a glafs tube.

The entrails, with whatever of the flefhy fnbftance can conve-
niently, is drawn through the anus by mear.s of fine wire curved
at tiie end; when the ii.fidc u emptied, the ^hL tube-is inferted

into

( 38 )
into the opening, through which the operator continues to blow-
while he turns the flcin at the end flowly round over a charcoal fire •
this hardens the flcin equally, and dries up all the moifture within ; a
pin is then put through it to fix it in a Handing pofition : if the flcin
is tender it may be filled with white paper or cotton.

But this is a mod cruel operation on the little vidlim, and fuch
as mud fhock the feelings of the human foul ; if therefore any other
method can be introduced which will efFecl: the purpofe in a fhort -^
time, the practice fhould be exploded as wanton barbarity.

Various attempts have been made, and among thefe fome have
tried to drown the Caterpillar, but you will never be able to ac- ^
complifh its death in this manner, unlefs it remains for a confiderable
time under water, and though it may appear dead, the principle of
life will not be deftroyed. Mr. Bonnet, making experiments on the
refpiration of Infefts, had one Caterpillar which lived eight days with
only two of its anterior fpiracula in the air.

The method we wifh to recommend is to obferve when the Cater-
pillar is on the point of cafting its laft flcin ; drop it by the threads into
fcalding water, and quickly withdraw it ; the creature will be killed
inftantly ; then put it into fome diftilled vinegar mixed with fpirit
of wine, which will give a proper firmnefs to all the parts and ac-
celerate the feparation of the flcin from the body ; the flefh may be
carefully extracted, and the exuvia or flcin be blown up by means
of a glafs tube while fufpended over a charcoal fire, as before de-
fcribed.

Anoint it with oil of fpike in which fome refin has been dif-
folved, unlefs it is a hairy Caterpillar.

THE

( 39 )

THE PUPA OR CHRYSALIS.

When Infc£ls have quitted the pupa ftatc, the cafe will require
only to be put into tin- drawers or boxes with fomc camphire, but
thoil- which have the Infects within, mull he cither dropped into
fcalding water, or inclofed in a fmall chip box, and expofed to the
heat of a lire, which will ihortly kill the Infcdl within.

I have found that if thofe chryfalidts which have the appearance
of gold, are put into fpirit of wine they will always retain that co-
lour, but if the Infccl within is killed firft, or if the fly has
quitted it, fuch appearance Ls entirely loft.

THE

( 4* )
THE LAST,

OK

PERFECT STATE.

COLEOPTEROUS INSECTS,

OR

BEETLES.

The prefervation of this order of Infects, is attended with very

little difficulty.

If you drop them into fcalding water they die in an inftant, but
the moifture they imbibe can never be fufficiently exhaled to prevent
mouldinefs, after they have been a fhort time in the cabinet.

The beft method is to enclofe them in a fmall chip box, and kill
them by expofing the box to the heat of a fire ; this treatment will
rather abforb, than add to the fuptrfiuous juices of the Infect, and
greatly contribute to its prefervation.

Thofe of the Mehe genus have foft tender bodies which fhrivel
after death ; to preferve thofe, make an incifion at the extremity of
the abdomen, probe out the entrails and fill the cavity with fine tow.

Several

v

( 4i )

n fpecies of Caflida, and many other coleopterous
Infects, arc beautifully variegated with a golden colour that dies with
the creature ; if you plunge them into well rectified fpiiit of wine,
when alire, they foon expire and retain their golden appearance ;
but if taken out and dried, that brilliance will be irretrievably loft.

The Chincfc fcldom take care to difplay the parts of their
Infects after the European manner ; thofe we receive from China
are ftuck on long needles ; if Beetles often through one elytra,
fo that the membranaceous wings are entirely concealed.

If the Infects require only a little relaxation to extend the pnrts,
life a camel's hair pencil moiftened with fpirit of wine ; but if this
fhould prove inefficient, fix them on a piece of cork and float
them in an earthen pan half filled with water ; it is better to cover
the pan with a damp cloth, and the Infects will be fo limber, after
a few hours, that they may be refet in any pofition.

Large Beetles are ufually ftuck through one of the fhells, as at Fig.
5, PLATE II ; but fmaller Infects are better if difplayed on a fmall
piece of card, as at Fig. 6, PLATE II. (they muft be fixed to the
card with ftrong gum] ; or they may be pierced through the head as
at Fig. 7, PLATE II.

Infects of the hemiptera order, as Cimices, &c. may be treated
>n the fame manner.

LEPIDOP-

( 4- )

LEPIDOrTEROUS INSECTS,

BUTTERFLIES, HAWK-MOTHS,
and MOT H S.

It is ufual to put two fpecimens of each fpecies of the Butterfly
kind into the cabinet, one to difplay the upper, and the other the
under fide; for the under fide is much more beautiful in molt
fpecies, and differs entirely in appearance from the upper f;de.

Sphinxes and Moths are generally difpofed in pairs to fhew the
male and female, and as their under fides are feldom very beautiful,
only their upper fides are fhewn.

Except a few fpecies, Moths conflantly conceal thtir under wipgs
when at reft ; hut colledlors facrifice the propriety of their remain-
ing in a natural pofition, in order to difplay the under wings. — It is
advifable to have one of every kind in a natural pofture, as that
will often effentially affift to determine the family of the Infeft.

Provide a quantity of card braces, made in the fame form as that
reprefented at Fig. 8, PLATE II ; and a board of a convenient

fize,

I

( 43 )

fize, covered with Ibfi Cork ; it mull be perfectly even on the fui-
facc, and papered; this i;> termed the fctting board.

fmall Moths it is only neceflary to put the pin through t!ie
tliorax and they die in a very limit time ; but for larger kinds, the
pin Ihould be dipped in ftrong aqua fortis before it is put through
the Infcdt.

It is very difficult to kill the largeft kinds of Moths and Sphinxes: —
in (comparatively lor the fize of the Infect) and dip it into
aqua-forlis as before, but immediately that the pin is forced through
t c thorax withdraw it, and put a drop of aqua fortis into the wound ;
fliould this prove inefficient to kill it, put the point of the pin
through a card, and hold it in the flame of a candle until it becomes
red hot ; this will kill the Infect immediately, and the card will
protect it from being injured by the flame.

The Moth is then to be fixed on the fetting board, and the braces
are to be applied in the manner fhewn at Fig. q, PLATE II.
The wings are to be carefully difplayed by means of a large pin,
the braces put clofe down to prevent their return to the natural
j ion. — Ntte, All Infects mult be fet while they remain limber,
f'>r if the parts (liffYn they are apt to (hap ; they may be relaxed by
floating them in a pan of water.

Infects fliould remain beneath the braces on the fctting board
until all the aqueous moiiture be evaporated, or the wings will Hart
from their polition, and the bodies turn black, or mouldy ; they
fliould be placed in a dry fituation, and be covered with gaufe for

G 2 «fce

( 44 )
the admiflion of air for the fpace of a month at leaft, before they are

put into the cabinet.

It is proper in this place to caution the young beginner not to at-
tempt to kill the Infe&s by fumigations of fulphur, &c. a practice
too frequent with perfons of this defcription, for fhould he by this
means deprive the creature of its life, he will alfo deprive it of
its beauty : It is even doubtful whether many may not furvive the
operation.

M. Lyonet placed feveral of the large Mu/k Beetles, probably the
Cerambyx Mofchatus, under a glafs where he had been burning ful-
phur, and which he kept burning while they were there ; and though
the vapor r was fo thick that he could not difcern them, and that
he kept them therein more than half an hour, they did not feem in
the kail incommoded *.

Some Moths are very liable to change colour when placed in the
cabinet, and particularly thofe which collectors term full-bodied; an
oily matter is common to all Infects, but thofe are charged with a
fuperabundance. It appears at firft in fpots on the body, but
gradually pervades every part ; in fome it will even defcend into
the wings, and then an obliteration of all the tender marks
and beautiful fpecklings is the leaft that may be expected, if a
total change of its colours, to an uniform dirty brown, does not
enfue. Hence it is that many of the Linnasan defcriptions of In-
fufts appear defective to fuch as breed them ; we not unfrequent-
ly re.id, tody black, though we know that part of the Infcdt is

* Lefltr Theologic Des Infefles. Tom. I, p. 124. Ibid p. 126.

white

f 45 )
white in every fpecimen that is not greafy ; the body of the Satin
Moth • is perfectly white when fine, but after it has been killed
fome time, it becomes black in parts ; the body of the Burnet
Sphinx f is of a very brilliant blue colour, with yellow bands on every
annulation, when alive, but changes to a velvety black foon after
the Infect dies ; the fame is obferved on the body of the Currant
Sphinx X i a"d every part of the body of the Hornet Sphinx § changes
to a jet black, after being fome time in the cabinet ; although when
alive it is a very bright yellow, with a band of purple. Hence alfo
it is that fome fp.'cimens of very common Ii.fo&s arc valuable, by
having preferred their prcp.r colours uninjured.

Various methods have been tried to extract the grenfc from the
Moths, but a preventative ihould always be preferred.

If the grcafe has not fpread into the wings, the Infecl may fome-
tiines be cured, but it will be verj , if not impofTible, to

eradicate the greafe which has fettled in patches on the wings.

Large Moths are to be opened in a ftrait fine along the under fide
of the body, the entrails, &c. taken out, and the cavity filled with
fine tow or cotton. — Note, This fhould be performed foon after the
Infect is dead. The mod delicate fpechr.ens may be preferved entire
by this means ; we have fome very valuable Sphinges, Moths, &c.
which were collected by an intelligent perfon in North America ;
they retain their colours to the utmoft degree of perfection, and
have only been prevented from changing black by this Ample pre-
paration.

* Pha, Silicii. -J- Sp, FiliccnJulx. J Sp. Tipulii'urmii. § Sp. Apiformii.

Sometimes

( 46 )

Sometimes it will be proper to break off the body clofe at the
thorax, and fubftitute the body of another Infect which nearly rc-
fcmbles it, and which is not fo liable to change.

The method which is mod fucccefsful for recovering the original
appearance after the Infect has become greafy, is to powder fome fine
dry chalk, on a piece of heated iron ; cover the chalk with a very fine
linen cloth, and thereto apply the under part of the body of the In-
fect : the heat of the iron diffolves the greafe, while the chalk ab-
forbs it, and the linen cloth prevents the chalk from clotting to the
Infect. This procefs may be repeated feveral times if the greafe
is not entirely eradicated by the firft attempt. Always obferve to
exaclly attemperate the heat of the iron.

They may bebaked in a flack oven, with the chalk placed to ab-
forb the greafe, without any confiderable injury to the colours.

Some collectors open the bodies of large Moths, take out the en-
trails, and fill the cavity with fine dry powdered chalk.

MINUTE MOTHS.
Tinea, Torteix, Alucita, &c. ,

Much experience, and confiderable care, with a light, but (ready
hand, are neceflary for the management of minute Moths on the
fetting board ; it will be equally ufelefs and impollible, to enter into
a minute detail of every trivial circumftance that muft be attended
to, we (hall therefore give a general (ketch, and leave the reft to the
ingenuity of the operator.

Firft, the fans of the clappers, or forceps, or the fowling-net if
you prefer it, muft be covered with filk gaufe, of a very foft and

delicate

-

( 47 )
delicate texture, anil as the flighted fri&ion will obliterate the beau-
tiful fpecklings, or raifed tufts that are fo profufcly beftowed by the
hand of nature on this mod elegant tribe of Infedls, you muft be
extremdy careful when >ou prefs on the thorax not to crufh it more
than yuu tan pollibly avoid ; or if you have it between the fans of
the forceps, put the pin through the thorax while the creature is
confined in that fituation.

The next care will be to procure pins of fuch a degree of fincnefs,
as not to injure or diftort the wings of the Infect ; the fmalleft fort
oi lace pins will do very well for moft kinds, but there are fome fo
extremely minute that even thofe would be too coarfc. If vou have
pins made purpofcly for Infects of this kind, let them be about an
inch in length, and have them drawn as fine as poilible.

When the pin is put through the thorax it muft be managed with
the greated dexterity, and be exactly in the center, as the leaft va-
riation to either fide will break the nerves of the anterior margin of
the upper wings, which will immediately ftart, and can never be
replaced in a proper pofition ; if the pin is placed too high, it will
fever the head from the fhoulders, and by being too low, the under
wings alfo will break off or ftart from their true pofition ; it may be
managed better with the alliftance of a magnifying eye glafs.

The braces are to be made of the fame form as thofe which are
ufed for larger Infects, only fmaller in proportion ; and inftead of
making them of ftiff card, or pafleboard, they may be fmall flips of
vellum, or ftout paper that has been hot-preffed. You muft brace
them immediately after you have put the pin through the thorax,
for if they arc permitted to ftiffen, they cannot be relaxed fo well as
lais r Infects.

4 Minute

( 48 )

Minute Moths are to be found in winter as well as fummer ; it
would be fcarcely imagined, nay reafon would deny, did not experi-
ence prove, that when the froft is fo fevere as to entirely fubvert the
appearance, and almoft annihilate the exiftence of all the vegetable
productions, within the verge of its influence, myriads of thofe deli-
cately formed creatures brave the inclement feafon, and exift fecure-
ly within thofe habitations they have the addrefs to conftrudt.

A very fkilful Entomologift informs us that having occafion to
go into the country when the cold was intenfely fevere and
the fnow deep, he collected in a few hours a vaft number of
minute Infects of the Cokoptera, Hemiptcra, and Lcp'idzptcra orders ;
and though his cclledtion was then very confiderable he felected
thirteen new fpecies, and among them feveral which he has never
found, but when the weather has been very cold as at that time.

It is proper to obferve, that thofe Infects ufually flielter among
the mofs, and other extraneous matter that grow on the trunks or
branches of trees, or beneath the rotten bark. Gather the mofs, &c.
into a box, or tin cannifter, a*nd fhut it clofe to prevent the efcape of
thofe Infects, that may revive by the warmth ; when you have an
opportunity to examine them, fpread a fheet of writing paper on the
table, and place a lamp, or candle, with a fhade of tranfparent, or
oiled paper before you, fo as to weaken the glare ; then feparate the
mofs, and fhake it loofely in your hand, and you will perceive many
Infects fall down on the paper ; if they are fo minute that by thrufling
the pin through the thorax they would be damaged, fatten them with
gum water, or fome glutinous varnifli, to fmall flips or pieces of
paper.

NEUROP-

( 49 )

M.UROPTKROUS, HVMENOPTEROUS,

AND

DIPTEROUS INSECTS.

Among thofc of the neuropterous order are included the Libel-
hilae, a molt elegant tribe of Infects, but very difficult to preferve.
The colours on the body are exceedingly brilliant in fome fpecies,
but inevitably change black within a few days after death, unlefs the
collector is particularly attentive to their preparation.

They are extremely tenacious of life ; we have feen one of the
larger kinds live two days on the pin, and even fhew fymptoms of
life twenty-four hours after being deprived of its head.

The moft expeditious method of killing thofe creatures, is to run
a red hot wire up the body and thorax, for they will live a confidera-
ble time in agony if you attempt to kill them with aqua-fortis ax
before directed for the Moth tribe.

After they are dead, clean their bodies on the infidc with a little
cotton twilled to the end of a wire, and put a roll of white paper
into the cavity, or fill it with cotton ; in molt fpecics this will not
only admirably relieve the colours, but preferve them from chang-
ing black.

J * K-Je,

( 5° )
Note, Thofe kinds only with transparent fkins will require this-
preparation, as the L. 4. maculata, &c.

Some of the foreign Infects of thofe orders appear to the greateft
advantage in fpirit of wine, but whenever the ufual method will
fuffice, it fhould be preferred. They are all to be ftuck through the
thorax, and obferve always to put the pin fo far through, that when
it is ftuck near a quarter of an inch into the cork the feet of the In-
fect may only touch the furface.

The wings are to be difplayed with cramps as ufual.

APTEROUS

( 5i )

APTEROUS INSECTS.

M • vy kinds may be preferved in fpirits, or in the fame manner
as coleopterous and other Infcfls ; but among thofe we can include
. . any, of that extenflve , no

metl g been hitherto difcovercd whet may be prc-

ferved in their natural colours, for I i beautiful they may be

when alive, their bodies thrive! and their teints become an obfeure
brown, foon after death ; and as the moifture exhale?, the fize of
the body dimi.iillies, very little more than the [kin of it remaining
when the creature is fufficiently dry to be placed in the cabinet.

Spiders caft their flcins feveral times in the courfe of their lives ;
the exuviae would be very acceptable to the collector, if they re-
tained any of th. beautiful colours of the living Spiders.

To determine whether fome fpecies of Spiders could be preferved
with their natural colours, I put feveral into fpirit of wine; thofe
with gibbous bodies foon after difcharged a very eonfiderable quantity
of vifcid matter, and therewith all their molt beautiful colours ; the
fmalleit retained their form, and only appeared rather paler in the
colours than when they were living.

During the courfe of laft fummer, among other Spiders I met
with a rare fpeciea ; it was of a bright yellow colour, elegantly
marked with black, red, given, and purple ; by fome accident it

unfortunately cruflicd to pieces in the chip box wherein it
confined, and was therefore thrown alidc as ufelefs ; a month 01

11 3, more

( 5* )

mre after that time, having occafion to open the box, I ob-
ferved, that fuch parts of the fkin as had dried againft the in-
fide of the box retained the original brightnefs of colour in a
confiderable degree ; to further the experiment I made a fimilar
attempt with fome caution, on the body of another Spider
[Arama Diadema), and though the colours were not perfectly pre-
ferved, they appeared diftinc}.

From other obfervations I find, that if you kill the Spider, and
immediately after extraft the entrails, then inflate them by means of
a blow-pipe, you may preferve them tolerably well ; you muft cleanfe
them on the infide no more than is fufficient to prevent mouldinefs,
left you injure the colours, which certainly in many kinds depend
on fome fubftance that lies beneath the fkin.

After inflating them, you may either injecl: them with fine virgin
wax, or anoint the fkin with oil of fpike in which refin has been
diflbh'ed, and dry them in fome fhady place.

Of the largeft kinds of foreign Spiders, the bodies are the only
parts which are liable to fhrivel ; if they were prepared in this man-
ner their proper form would be preferved.

In 1792, Dr. Withering prefented a paper to the Linnxan fociety,
in which he relates the particulars of a new method of preferving
Fungi, &c. ; as we have given an account of this improvement with
the inftxu&ions for the prefenation of plants, we fhall only obferve
in this place, that the compofition which he has applied with fo much
fuccefs as a prefervativc of the moft perifhable tribes of vegetables,
may hereafter prove alio an excellent prefervative for Spiders, and
ether apterous infects.

THE

( 53 )

THE CABINET.

It is immaterial whether the cabinet is made of mahogany or
wainfcot ; fomciimes they are made of cedar wood, but very feldom
of deal or any other wood that is foft ; the drawers may be from
fifteen to thirty inches in length, the fame, or nearly the fame in
breadth, and about two or three inches in depth ; the cork with which
the bottoms are to be lined, mult be chofen as free from cracks as
poffible, it mult be glued into the drawers to prevent its warping, and
be filed, or cut very level ; the irregularities fliould be rubbed even
with pummice (lone, and the whole furface be perfectly fmooth, be-
fore the paper is palled over it ; the paper fhould be of the fined
quality, but neither very flout, nor highly fized ; the former being
liable to turn the points of the pins, and the latter to injure the infects
by not readily abforbing the greafe, which may flow from them : the
top of every drawer mull be glazed to prevent the admiifion of duft or
air ; the gbfs is ufually fitted into a frame of the fame fize as the
drawer, and is made either to Hide in a groove, or let in on a
rabbet. Some collectors wafh the cork fcvcral times with fpirit
of wine and corrofive fublimate, to deftroy the mites ; and moiften
the paper after it is paflcd on the cork with allum-watcr.

Obfervc that every crevice in the drawers or boxes muft be
(lopped to prevent the admiifion of external air, and always appro-
priate a quantity of camphirc for each drawer, or the mites will de-
ftroy the Inf-

If

( 54 )
If your cabinets or boxes fland in a damp fituation the Infect will
become mouldy on the antenna;, legs, &c. this rauft be cleaned off
with a camel's hair pencil, and the cabinets in future be put into
fome place where.it will be lefs expofed to damp.

If you perceive notwithstanding the camphire, a dufty appearance
on the Infects, add alfo a quantity of rauft, and clean the duft off
with a foft pencil ; if after this you find more duft, either bake the
Infecls, or diflblve fome corrofive fublimate in fpirit of wine, and
touch the parts that appear dufty with a fine pencil moiftened in the
liquor, which will deftroy the mites that occafion fuch appearance.

The method which Harris advifes promifes only to materially in-
jure the Infects, or at leaft change their colours if brilliant, as I
have found by experience.

" If at any time the Infects in a cabinet or box, where they arc
placed for prefervation, fhould appear as if growing mouldy, or be
infefted with fmall animalcule, which is known by a kind of dull
feen beneath the abdomen ; in this cafe the fmoke of tobacco is the
only effectual remedy, which muft be blown through the fmall end
of a pipe admitted through a hole made for that purpofe in the back
part of the drawer or box : this not only corrects the putrid and
ftagnant air, but deftroys thofe formidable enemies which often de-
ftroy whole cabinets of Infects : this will preferve them for twelve
months, when it will be necefTary to act the fame part over again.
It may be feared and objected that the fmoke may in fome meafure
damage the Infects, but a little experience will plainly evince the
contrary. ".— — Harris.

CRABS

( 55 )

CRABS, 8cc.

Si hfocate them in fpirits, cither of wine or turpentine, and
dry them in an oven.

Or after they are killed, put them into an Ant's neft ; thofe little
animals will devour the flefh in a few hours and leave the fhell
entire.

Diluted aqua-fortis is ufed to clear off any impurities that may
adhere to the flicll.

\ MiMES.

This clafs comprifes a number of very fingularly formed crea-
tures ; mod of which may be preferved in fpirit ot wine.

\sterias, or Star Fifli, belong to the fecond order of this
clafs ; they are very numerous in fome places on our coaft, are
beautiful when alive, but their colours fade after death. Suffocate
them in fpirits, ^fter which they may be dried and preferved in boxes
with a quantity of muflc and camphirc.

S TESTACEA.

( 56 )

TESTACEA.

SHELLS.

In this order are included the whole tribe of fhells according to
the Linnasan arrangement ; many difputes having arifen refpefting
the proper method of fludying the fubjedt, Linnxus made concho-
logv a branch of zoology, and not of mineralogy, as preceding
authors had clafTed them ; there however yet remain very ttrong
arguments againft the method by the animals, although it cannot
be denied that the fhells are only the coverings or habitations, and
fhould not therefore demand our primary attention, or be confidered
as any farther ufeful in eftablifhing the mode of claflifkation, than
as fubordinate diftinclions.

Fabius Columna was altonifhed that of all the writers on this
fubjett, not one had confidered the ajiimals that inhabit the fhells,
but awns, that many are feldom feen by us, and that to difcover the
manners of their life is extremely difficult.

Mr. Adanfon alfo, in his Natural Hiftory of Senegal, willies to
methodize teftaceous animals by the Fifh in preference to the fhells.
He obferves, that there is fuch an infinite variety of the Libot, or
Black Limpet, that it is difficult to meet with two fhells alike, and
that any perfon would be led to conclude that they were diflinct
fpecies, did not the fifh or animal prove the contrary by admitting
of no fuch differences. The fhells differed in colour and form ;
fome were white, others grey, afhen, or black ; very flat, or very

raifed ;

( 57 )
railed ; the number of furrows unequal, from twenty-five to fifty ;
fome times rigid, or fct with fmall prickles; the jaggings or tooth-
ings of the Contour alfo differed widely, fome being fmall, or mere-
ly notches, while others were (lafht fo deep, that they gave the
whole Ihell the form of a (lor with five or feven rays.

Da Coda, whofc abilities as a concholirt will require no eulogium,
has however encountered the objections to clafs by the (hells, and
has convidtcd Adanfon of having confounded the Libit, or Black
Limpet, with the Thorny Limpet, the Beauty, and the Afrolepas Lim-
pets, all as one fpecier, though they have not the lead refemblancc
to each other. With refpecl: to the fifh, he allows with Adanfon,
that being the fame fort is a preemptive proof of thtir being in-
dividuals of the fame fpecies, but cannot agree that it is a pofitive
or decifive one. " I will allow him," fays Da Co/la, " that the
whole of the externa! appearance of the fifh, and the particular parts
r.rc nearly the fame ; yet I think even that is not a pofitive proof,
for I imagine, the very fame kind of animal inhabits different covers
or (hells ; as for example, the Snails may be the fame kind of
fifh, and form the genus yet vary fo much in their habitations or

s, as to form different fpecies of that fame genus, from only the
differences of the (hells or coverings : for the (hell or covering may
be held for ss great a character of the fpecies, as the very fifh.
Thus the volutes called Admirals, Brocades, Purple Tips, or Onyxes,

r.', ccc. though fuch different (hells may be inhabited by the
fame kind of fifh, to wit, a Umax or Snail, and therefore though

Umax or Flfb is of the very fame kind, and forms or fixes the
genus, yet the (hells, always confiant, will fix or define the fpecies
of that fame genus. An analogy to this bears rtrong through all the
animal kingdom ; for fpecies of quadrupeds are diflinguifhed and
defined in their genera, from the different colours of their hides ;

I birds

( 58 )
birds by their various plumage ; and infects by their different colour-
ings, therefore why fhould not fhells, which wear fuch ftrong cha-
racters, by the fame parity of reafon, form fpecies of the fame
genus r Or in other words, why fhould not the fame fifli, or genus,
yield many different fpecies, according to the feveral characteriftical
differences of its fhells or habitations ?"

This author does not attempt to deny the propriety, but practica-
bility of claffing by the animal ; he juflly obferves, " The vaft num-
ber of fpecies hitherto difcovered, and the numerous collections
made, exhibit only the fhells or habitations, the animals themfelves
being fcarcely known or defcribed. Of the fhells we daily difcover,
few are fifhed up living ; the greater number are found on our
fhores dead and empty. Accurate defcriptions of animals whofe
•parts are not eafiiy feen or obvious, and anatomical refearches, are
not in the capacity of every one to make ; nor are the particular
parts and their refpedtive functions fo eafiiy cognizable to any but
expert, affiduous, and philofophical enquirers. How is it poffible
then to arrange a numerous fet of animals by characters or parts, we
can with difficulty, if ever, get acquainted with, in the far greater
number of the fpecies we colb-3: or difcover ?"

COL-

( 59 )

COLLECTING.

Like ill oilier kinds of animals, (hell fifti have their parti-
cular refort! j fonie inhabit only the deep parts of the fea, fomc
arc found in lefs depths, others in fltallows, in bays, and even on
the (bores ; it has been alfo r.bfcrved, that many very fine and rare
fpecimens are fometimes found in narrow (traits between iflands,
and in (hallows of four or five fathom water.

The beft live fliclls are collected by means of a trawling-net,
fuch as are ufed by filhermen, if the depths will permit ; they
are alfo brought up by the cable in weighing anchor, the log-line in
founding, &C.

After a dorm good (hells may be picked up on the fea beaches, or
fhores, as the violent agitation of the water in a temped feparates
them from their native beds, and often cads them on the (hore ;
but fuch as have been expofed for fome time to the heat of the fun,
or beaten by the waves, arc of little value, as their colours will be
faded, and the diells worn and broken ; choofe therefore always fuch
(hells as lie in the deeped parts of their reforts and under water,
whether taken up by the drag-net, from the fides of rocks, or bot-
toms of (hips, &c.

River (hells are in general very obfeure in appearance, feld^m ad-
mit of elegant colouring, and are extremely thin and brittle.

J a Bw.

f 6° )

But terreftrial or land fhells, though few in comparifon with
marine (hells, are no way deficient in beauty, or lefs efleemed by
collectors.

Many fhells are fo very beautifully polifhed when they are fiflicd
up, that art cannot improve their appearance, fuch are the Cowries,
Tuns, fome Buccina, the Volutes, and the Olives.

Da Cofta imagines that the fi(h inhabiting all. naturally polifhed
fhells whatever are capable of not only adding to the extent and
growth of their fhells, but can likewife, from time to time, add a
frefh polifhed covering to the whole fhell ; or at lea(i extend their
organs to fuch a length as to clear away all impurities from their
fhells, as we feldom find any Cowries with coral or any extraneous
bodies adhering to any part of them.

As fhells are of a calcareous nature, all acids mufl be avoided as
much as poflible ; and even when the animals are killed, as much
boiling may injure the fhells, it will be moft advifable to dip
them into fcalding water, which will kill them, let them remain
for two or three minutes to cool, and then put them into cold water,
in which they may lie until they are taken out to be cleaned. If
the animals die without this precaution the colours will be very
dull and obfeure, if not entirely changed. — Thofe are known to col-
lectors by the term Dead Shells, and are little valued becaufe the co-
lours are fo very much injured.

The fifh by being killed in this manner becomes condenfed, or
fomewhat folid, and may be picked out by any fharp inftrument.

The

( 6, )

The epidermis, or pcrioflcum, is common to many (hells, and
is perhaps a membrane that covers the (hdls to defend them from
icnts, and aid their growth; its ftru&ure in different
genera varies very much; in fome it is laminated, in others fibrous
or brulh-like, or as velvet ; it prevents fhell-lifTi or other marine
infers from fixing their habitation on thofc (bells, and protects it
from the corroding of the fait water, for all (hells that have the
epidermis have a fcabrous furluce.

Tellens, Mufcles, Snails, &c. come out of the fea (limy or even
encrutted with filth, coraline matter, mofs, &c. For thefe, firft
fteep them in hot water, let them remain therein for twenty-four
hours, to foften the filth or cruft, then bru(h them well, with
brufhes that are not too hard ; if that proves infutficient to clean
them, rub or bru(h them again with tripoli or emery, or put them
into weak acid, obferving to dip them into cold water every minute ;
flrong foap may alfo be ufed with a rag of woollen or linen, to rub
them, and when cleaned finifli them v>ith a foft bru(h and fine
emery.

The fcientific collectors fhould always if poflible preferve one of
every (hell with the epidermis on, to exhibit its natural appearance,
together with the uncoatcd fpecimen.

The epidermis may fometimes "be fo thick that it will be proper
to take it off, before the (hell can be polifhed, for that purpofe pour
a proportion (nearly one tcntV of aqua-fortis mixed with common
water, into a (hallow bafon or fauccr, and place the (hells therein,
in fuch a manner that the corrofive liquor may a£l only on the coat,
without injuring the orifice, which in fome cafes may be coated
with bees-wax ; change the (itualion of the (hell every two or three

minutes,

( 6c )

minutes, that all the parts may be equally uncoated ; wipe off fhc
bubbles as occafion may require with a feather, firft dipped in wa-
ter : when you perceive the enamel of the fhell in any part free
from the coat, take it out and wafh it entirely free from the aqua-
fortis : after this procefs brufh them with emery, putty, or tripoli.

If inftead of a thick epidermis it is only a pellicle, it is fufficient
to deep it in hot water, and then pick it off ; or fteep the fhell in
vinegar for fome time till it peels off freely, or is corroded away.

The epidermis of fome fhells is fo very coarfe and ponderous as
to refill *he corrofive quality of acids diluted, or even ftrong aqua-
fortis ; coarfe emery, with ftrong brufhes, are then fubftituted, and
feal-fkin or pumice-ftone is in feveral refpefts ufeful. If the matter
is too obftinate to be cleared off by this means, pour fome fpirit
of nitre into a cup or other veffel, ftop up every part of the fhell
that may be fufceptible of injury, with foft wax as carefully as
poffible, and put it into the liquor in the velTel ; remove it every
minute into cold water, but obferve never to fhift it into the fame
water more than once, and wafh it every time before you return it
into the corrofive liquor. If the fhell is warted, irregular, or arm-
ed with points, examine with a common magnifying glafs, and if
you perceive on the more prominent parts through the coat any
appearance of the polifhed furface, cover them with wax, and let the
fhell remain a few moments longer in the fpirit ; take it out and
wafh it again, after which polifh the fhell with fine emery, and pafs
a camel's hair pencil with gum arabic over them to glow the co-
lours ; white of egg is fomctimes ufed, but it is very apt to turn
yellow in time, though at firft it appears glaring ; and varnifh com-
municates a difagreeable fmell.

$ Some

( ^3 )
Some fhclls have naturally a flight poliiurc, though dull ; thofe
muff, be rubbed by the hand with chamois leather, which will give
them a bright gloffy appearance ; avoid when pofliblc the ufe of
powder of emery, as it is apt to detriment the beautiful workings on
the /hells ; it cannot however be often left out of ufe.

It may be neceffary as far as can be, to avoid the impofitions
which arc often pradlifed on thofe who are not well acquainted with
(hells ; at the fame time that the collector may with to enrich his
cabinet with fpecimens under their feveral appearances: thus we fee
that though the outer furfacc of the common Cowry, or Tide Shell,
is of a pale colour with dark fpots, when that is taken off", it is of a
fine violet colour ; the Sea Ears are clouded with brown, green,
and white, but when that coat is rubbed away, it appears a beautiful
mother of pearl, and the pearly chambered Nautilus, or Sailor, is
of a light ochre colour, variegated with llreaks of red, externally,
but when that coat is rubbed off, the (hell is mother of pearl alfo ;
the fame circumftance attends many of the Trochi, Snails, and an
infinite variety of other (hells of different genera. Among thofe
fhells which alter their appearance moll, we mull not omit the
Volute, called by us the Purple or Violet Tip, and b. the French the
Onyx ; it has a brown epidermis, which being taken oft* difcovcrs the
ground colour to be a dull yellow. When this is worked down to
beneath the cruft or furfacc, it is of a pure white, with the tip of
a fine violet colour. — To rub them down in this manner ufe a file,
hard brufhes of boar's bridles, coarfe emery, &c.

The Dutch frequently ftain artificial colours on fhclls, fo as to
render it extremely difficult to prevent impofirion ; fometimes they
entirely alter t'le.'r appearance, by filing the mouths, ccc.

To

( 64- )

To examine the internal ftru<fture cf (hells, they may be ground
down on a hone.

Foflil (hells fhould be noticed here if any inductions were re-
quired for their prefervation, but they, together with minerals, are
the mod durable part of a collection ; being either chalky, cafts of
(lone, or replacements of fparry matter, with perhaps only fome
flight fragments of the fhells adhering. They are dug out of lime,
or done quarries, coal pits, chalky cliffs, &c.

The remains of foreign animals, fhells, and plants which have at
different periods been difcovered in a fofiil ftate, within the bowels
of the earth, in Europe, has been fuppofed to exceed the variety and
number of thofe in a recent (late, or in prefent exiftence with us ;
and although Buffan will not allow fuch a confiderable latitude to this
circumftance, he acknowledges that fofllls are extremely numerous
in Europe as well as in every other part of the univerfe, and appears
fatisfied that (hells, &c. may be difcovered wherever we are dilpofed
to feck for them.

Strata of fhells have been found at the greateft depths from the
furface of the earth that have ever been examined, and in equal
abundance on the fummits of the higheft. mountains, for example,
on mount Cenis, in the mountains of Genes, in the Apennines, and
in mod of the ftone and marble quarries in Italy ; in the marbles of
the moll ancient buildings of the Romans ; in the mountains of
Tirol ; in the center of Italy, on the fummit of mount Patcrne,
mar Bolognc ; in the hilis ct Calabria, and in many parts of Ger-
many, Hungary, &c.

In

( «5 )

In Alia and Africa they have been obferved by travellers in many
parts ; on the mountains of Caftravan above Barut there is a bed b'
white ftone as thin as flate, each leaf of which contains a great
number and divcrlity of fiflies ; they lie for the molt part very flat,
and comprcfled, as do the foflll of fern-plants, but they are not-
withltanding fo well preferved that the fmallelt traces of the fins,
leaks, and all the parts which diltin^uifli each kind are perfectly
viable. Many petrified ihclls arc alio found between Suez and
Cairo, and on the hills and eminences of Barbary. Alfo according
to Bourgutt in the long chain of mountains which extends from Por-
tugal to the mofl; caitcrn parts of China.

" Oppofitc the village of Inchcne, and on the eaftern fliore of
the Nile, arc found petrified plants, which grow naturally in a fpace
about two leagues long, by a very moderate breadth ; this is one of
the mofl; fingular productions of nature. Thefe plants refemble the
white coral found on the Red Sea*."

** There are petrifactions of divers kinds on mount Libanus, and
among others flat floncs, where the flccletons of fifli are found well
prefcrved and entire ; red chefnuts, and fmall branches of coral, the
fame as grow in the Red S;a, arc alfo found on this mountain."

According to Dr. Woodward, foflll fliells arc met with from the
tops to the bottoms of quarries, pits, an 1 the deeptft mines of Hun-
gary ; and Mr. Ray aJures us, they are found a thoufand feet deep
in the rocks which border the Ifle of Calda in Pembrokelhiie in
England.

• Voyage of Paul Lucui, Vol. II. p. 3 So.

K We

( °6 )

We would willingly purfue our enquiries farther, were they fub-
fervient to our general defign, but as we only wifh to acquaint the
early naturalift, in what (ituations he may expect to meet with foffil
fhells, or the remains of animals, &c. we fliall return to our own
country, which abounds in productions of the foffil kind.

The greateft variety of ferns, and other foffil plants, in iron-ftone,
are found at Coalbrook Dale, Shropfhire ; ammonites, &c. in Kent,
Dorfetfliire, Gloucefterfhire, Cornwall, Bath, Sec. and foffil fhells
in general are abundant in chalky cliffs, and clay foil. To convey
fome idea of the extenfive variety of foffil fhells, &c. in this country,
it will be only neceffary to mention the Fojfilia Hantonlcnfia, the
figures contained in that work amount to one hundred and twenty-
one different kinds, although they were only collected in the county
of Hampfhire, out of the cliffs by the fea coaft, between Chriji Church
and Lymington, and about the cliffs by the village of Herdwell, which
is nearly in the mid way between the two former places ; they were
found in their natural ftate, excepting their lofs of colour, and ex-
ceedingly well preferved, below a ftratum of gravel and fand about
fourteen or fifteen feet thick, in a bluifh kind of clay or marie,
quite down to the level of the fea, how much deeper is not
known ; the heights of thefe cliffs are, in many places, above one
hundred feet.

We cannot better conclude this difcourfe, than by fubjoining the
following extract from the preface of that work.

" This ftratum of clay runs a great way into the country in a
northerly direction quite acrofs the Ne-ju Fore/}, as may be perceived
when finkings are made in the earth for buildings, or pits for the
digging of marie, where foffil fhells, on fuch occafions, frequently

occur,

( 67 )

occur, together with thofc other bodies here mentioned, by which
it appears, that a'ong with the tcftaccous tribe, fifli and quadrupeds
became involved in the general confufton ; the fhores under thefe
clirFs abound with large noddules of iron ore, and pebbles or flints,
in many of which when broken are difcovered fold lhclls, or their
impreiHons, and the efcharx here defcribed.

" Various arc the opinions concerning the time when and how
thefc bodies became depofited ; fome there are who conceive it might
have been efftifted in an indefinite length of time by a gradual chang-
ing of the fea ; others again, that this globe may have undergone
many, even total revolutions, of which we neither have or can have
any idea, but by thefe traces.

" The moft common caufe afligned is that of the deluge, but
the notion that an overflowing of the waters, during the time men-
tioned in fcripture, although the universality of it fliould not be
called in qucftion, could have loofened the intire contents of the
whole earth, according to Dr. Woodward, and have rendered all that
was folid, fluid, for the admifllon of the fpoils both of the fea and
land, into the centre of the hardeft rocks, nay even pebbles and flints,
is equally hypothetical with other conjectures ; fo that upon tha
whole, I am apt to think this affair will for ever remain a myftery.
I fhall therefore content myfclf with making a few general obferva-
tions on the fubjeel, the better to enable fuch as are lefs converfant
in thefc matters to judge for themfelvcs,

" Thefc phenomena then, upon an inquifitive fearch over as
great a part of the globe as we have any knowledge of, except in a
very few inltances, are found to be univerfal ; for from the furface
ef the highc ft mountains in the moft inland parts, down to the great-

Ki eft

f 68 )

eft depths in the earth ever penetrated, where openings have been
made, are found (hells, bones, and vegetables, petrified, or pre-
ferved in their natural ftate, in earth, fand, clay, marble, flint, &c.
and in fuch abundance, that the teftaceous tribe efpecially are equal
in variety to thofe found recent, and in quantity infinitely exceed
them. The greater part of thefe foflll extraneous fubftances that
are known, are found to be inhabitants of fouthern latitudes, as the
Ikeletons of Elephants, Crocodiles, Sharks, and almoft all the vege-
tables ; and of the teftaceous tribe are found the Ammonitae, Belem-
nitae, Stella; Marina:, Anomix, &c. now in general not known in
the recent ftate, inhabitants no doubt of the great deep, or of fome
unknown feas or fhores ; all of which are met with in great plenty
in this our ifland *."

M. de Juflieu imagines, that as the bed of the fea is continually
rifing in confequence of the mud and fand which the rivers in-
cellantly convey there ; the fea, at firft confined between two nar-
row dykes, furmounted them and was difperfed over the land, and
that the dykes were themfelves undermined by the water and over-
thrown therein ; hence he accounts for the impreiTions of fo many
exotic vegetables on the ftones of St. Chaumont, in France ; which
are all either natives of the Eaft Indies, or the hot climates of Ame-
rica, and are not to be found in the recent ftate in any part of
France.

* Fosjtiia Hantokixnsia, Collefta et in Mufaeo Britannico depofita a Guftavo
Brander, R. S. and S. A. S. Muf. Brit. Cur.— Lond. 1766.

IITHO.

( *9 )

LITIIOPHYTA, ZOOPHYTA, Sec.

Sea Weeds only require to be warned in frefh water, and dried
between fhcets of paper.

For the prtfervation of fome kinds of Corallines, &c. it will be
necelTary to wafh them firft in fpirit of wine to kill the infects which
are concealed in the hollows or crevices, and then in common wa-
ter to clear off the extraneous matter, Sec.

A receipt for clcanfing white corallines, &:c. when dirty, or
changed buck, is very little known ; put them into a mixture of
foap-fuds and a fmall quantity of pearl-afhcs, and rub them therein
with a (oft bru(h ; however changed, or dirty they may be, their
fincit degree of whitenefs will be regained by this procefs. Fumiga-
tions of fulphur will alfo whiten coral that has turned black.

In the lad order it only remains for us to notice the Polypes,
whofe very altonifhing power of reproducing the parts, which they
may be occalionally deprived of, has given birth to fo many learned
difcuifioiis in every part of Europe.

W'c often obfervc at the bottoms of fhallow pools, or on the
plants which grow in, or recline on the furface of (lagnant water,
2 number of fmall tranfparcnt lumps, about the fize of a pea, and
flatted on one fide ; thofe arc Polypes in an ina&ive ftate : they are

generally

( 7° )
generally fixed by one end to fome folid fubflance, at the other end
is an opening, which is the mouth of the creature, and the arms
fhoot forth round it in the form of rays.

They are generally found in waters that move gently ; neither
rapid ftreams, nor ftagnant waters ever abound with them ; they
adhere to aquatic plants, to rotten wood, ftones, &c. They are
feldom met with in winter, but in the month of May they begin to
appear, and are to be found in ditches all the fummer.

When you fearch for Polypes it will be Deft to take up a quantity
of the pieces of wood, &c. that are ufually found in ditches, and
put them into a glafs of water, let it (land for a while without
moving it, and if there are any Polypes adhering to thefe fubftances,
you will perceive them ftretching out their arms in fearch foj
their prey.

Mr. Trembley difcovered that a fmall fpecies of Millepede was
an excellent food for thofe little animals ; they will alfo devour the
Pulices Aquatices, the fmall red worms which are found in the mud
banks on the banks of the Thames, common worms, the larva of
gnats, and other infefls, and even butcher's meat if cut fmall
enough.

If a fufrkient quantity of the red worms which are found on the
mud banks, be gathered in the month of November, and put into a
large glafs, with three or four inches of earth at the bottom, the
Polypes may be fed in the winter ; cleanfe the worms before they

are put in among the Polypes.

To

( 7' )
To preferve thofe creatures in health, it will be proper to change
the water in which they arc kept very frequently, and particularly
after they have done eating ; the water mull be poured off, the Poly-
pes taken out, and the fides and bottom of the glafs wafhed free from
all (limy fediment. To take them out, firft loofen their tails from
the fides or bottom of the glafs ; then take them out feparately, with
a quill cut in the fhape of a fcoop, and put them into a glafs with
clean water.

The power of reproduction is fo great in thofe creatures that if a
Polype is cut tranfverfely, or longitudinally, in two or three parts,
it is not deftroyed ; in a little time each part will become a per-
fect Polype ; even a fmall portion of the fkin will produce a new
creature.

If a Polype is flit, beginning at the head, and proceeding to the
middle of the body, a Polype will be formed with two heads, and
will eat at the fame time with both. If a Polype is flit into fix or
feven parts, it becomes a hydra, with fix or feven heads. If they
are again divided it will have twelve or fourteen. If thofe again be
fevered from the trunk, as many new ones will fpring up in their
place, and the heads thus deprived of the body will become new
Polypes alfo.

Thofe who may wifh for farther information relative to the va-
rieties, habits, and properties of Polvpes, we refer to the Eifays on
the Natural Hiftory of polypes, by Henry Baker * ; to Memoircs
pour fervir a l'Hittoirc d'une Efpece de Polvpes d'Eau douce, par M.
Trembley f ; to Lettrcs d'Eugcnc a Clarence au Sujet des Animaux

• loai. 174J— ». f **!*' J744-

6 appellees

i

( T~ )

appellees Polypees %, and particularly to Mr. Adams's Effay on the Mi-
crofcope §, in which the reader will rind a circumftantial detail of th«
mod material difcoveries and experiments that have been made by
different naturalifts, on thofe lingular creatures.

The inftructions for their prefervation as microfcopic objefts, as
they were given by Mr. Baker, and fince inferted in Mr. Adams 's
EfTay, will be particularly ufeful to the early naturalift, not only fo
far as relates to Polypes, but as with care many animals of a fimi-
lar texture may be preferved by the fame means.

" Chufe a proper Polype, and put in a fmall concave lens, with
a drop of water ; when it is extended, and the tail fixed, pour off a
little of the water, and then plunge it with the concave into fome
fpirit of wine contained in the bowl of a large fpoon ; by this it
is inftantly killed, the arms and body contracting more or lefs ;
rub it gently, while in fpirits, with a foft hair pencil, to cleanfe it
from the lice.

" The difficulty now begins ; for the parts of the Polype, on
being taken out of the fpirits, immediately cling together, fo that.it
is not practicable to extend the body, and feparate the arms on the
talc, without tearing them to pieces: fo that the only method is, to
adjuft them upon the talc while in the fpirits ; this may be done by
flipping the talc under the body of the Polype, while it lies in the
fpirits, and difplaying its arms thereon by the fmall hair pencil and a
pair of nippers ; then lift the talc with the Polype upon it, out of the
fpirits, take hold of it with the nippers in the left hand, dip the pen-

J A. Strafl). 1745—3. $ Lond. 1787.

( 7-5 )
cil in the fpirits with the right hand, and therewith difpok of the
(evcral parts, that they may lie in a convenient manner, at the fame
time brufhing away any lice that may be fecn upon the tak ; now
let it dry, which it does in a little time, and place the talc carefi ily
in the hole of the Aider. To prevent the upper talc and ring prdling
on the Polype, you mull cut three pieces of cork about the bignefs
of a pin's head, and the depth of the Polype, and fix them by gum in
a triangular pofition, partly on the edges of the faid talc, partly to
the fides of the ivory hole itfelf ; the upper talc may then be laid od
thefc corks, and preffed down by the ring as ufual.'|

( n )

PLANTS.

Plants are fometimes tranfmittcd from one country to another,
by flips or cuttings, butasthofe require the fkilful management of the
gardener during the paffage, roots or feeds fhould always be preferred.
It is, however, very difficult to lay down any prccife mode of treat-
ment that will anfwer for all feeds indifcriminately : fome kinds
keep belt expofed to the air ; while others are preferved by a total
exclulion of it *. The feeds of parfley, lettuce, onions, &c. kept
in vials hermetically fealed a twelve month, did not vegetate, while
thofe of the fame age and fort hung up in bags in a dry room, vege-
tated freely. »

In Ellis's directions for bringing over feeds and plants, the neceffity
of giving frefh air to fome feeds is clearly proved f, though it is

certain

* Miller's Gardeners Dictionary.

■f " A gentleman going to Bencoulen in the ifland of Sumitra, had a mind to furnifh
himfelf with an affortment of feeds for a kitchen garden ; thefe were accordingly packed
up in boxes and cafks, and flowed with the other goods in the hold of the fhip.

" When he arrived at Bencoulen, he fowed his feeds ; but foon found to his gieat
mortification that they were all fpoiled, for none of them came up.

" Convinced that it mufi be owing to the heat of the (hip's hold, and their long
confinement in putrid air, and having fome occufion to return to England, he deter-
mined in his next voy;ige thither to pack them up in fuch a manner, and place them

f 75 )
certain that the vegetative power of many other kinds can only bo
prefcrved by a total exclwfion of air, as coating them with TW «X
encloling them in tin canniilers, &c. £

Some

Co as to give them as much air as he could, without the danger of expofing them to tho
fait water ; and therefore put the fmaller kinds into feparatc papers, ar.d placed thein
among fome clean ftraw in a 1'mall clofe net, and hung it up in his cab.n ; and tho
larger ones he put into boxes, (towing them where the free air could come at them,
and blow through them : the effeft was, that as foon as he arrived at Bcncoulcn ho
fuwed them, and in a little time fovind, to his great fatisfa&ion, that they grew ex-
tremely well."

t This method " principally confifts in choofing fuch feeds as are perfectly found
and ripe. To prove this, we mud cut open fome of them to judge what fituation tho
red may be in, taking care to by alidc any that arc outwardly detective or marked with
the wounds of infills. When a proper choice of them is made, they fhould he wiped
extremely clean to prevent any dirt or moiflure being enclofed : each feed-fhould then
be rolled up carefully in a coat of foft bees-wax, half an inch thick : the deep Englifti
bees-wax is the belt. When you have covered the number you intend tocnclofe, pour
fome of this bees-wax milled into a chip box of fix or feven inches long, four broad,
and three deep, till it is above half full ; and jurt before it begins to harden, while it is
yet fluid, put in the feeds you have rolled up in rows till the box is near full ; then
pour over them fome more wax while it is ju(l fluid, taking care when it is cold to
flop all the craoks or chinks that may have proceeded from the (hrinking of the wax,
with fome very foft wax ; then put on the cover of the box, and keep it in as cool and
airy a place as you can.

u Acorns fo pn ferved have vegetated freely after they have been kept a whole fcafoQ
enclofed in wax.

" Another method that has been tried with fuccefs is, by procuring the tea-feeds in
their pods or cipfules, when they are hrou^ht down frefh from the tea country, at the
litter end of the year, to Canton, at the time that our Eaft-India (hips are preparing to
depart fcr Europe. The feed* then In their pods are to be put into pound or half-pound
caniflers made of tin and tutenague, with a double rim to the top : the infide of tho
canifter (houM be firtl lined with filk paper, or the paper tommonly ufed in China,
and the feeds prefled down dole, but no: fo a-, to be bruifed. When the canifter is
near full to the neck, fome more of the fame paper muft be (luffed in ve-y clofe, till it
is full to the top, and then the double-rimmed cover (hould be put on veiy tight. Care
nun be taken that the (ccdj aic oat too moid when they arc put intJ the canifter, and

I z that

( 76 )
Some feeds will retain their vegetative property for a confidcrable
time if buried in a bed of earth, a foot or more below the furface § ;
others may be enclofed in vials, corked and fealed with a composi-
tion of melted refin and bees-wax, and placed in calks or boxes of
fait ; and the feeds of moft aquatic plants fhould be tranfmitted in
water.

Seeds which contain much oil, and are of a warm nature, may be
generally kept for a confiderable length of time without any injury ;
thofe of parfley, carrots and parfnip, it is faid, will not grow if
more than a year old.

Colonel Davies has given the following ufeful inftructions for the
tranfmiflion of plants from one country to another.

that they are (bund and in good order. The canifter then is to be kept in an airy
Cool place. If the fhip arrives early in England, I mean in July, they may be (own
withfuccefs; the (boner it is done, the better chance we (hall have of their growing.
Thofe feeds which I have feen brought over in this manner, had (hot out roots owing
to the heat of the climates they had paffed through, and the confined moifture ; and
though not twenty out of two hundred in the canifter fuccccdcd, yet thefe are thought
a great acquifn.cn.

V The fmallefi feeds being very liable to lofe their vegetative power by long voyages
through warm climates, it m3y be worth while to try the following experiment upon
fuch kinds as we know for certain are found. Dip fome fpare pieces of cotton cloth in
melted wax, and whilft it is foft, and almofi cold, drew the furface of each piece over
with each fort of fmall feed, then roll them up tight, and enclofe each roll in fome foft
bees-wax, wrapping up each of them in a piece of paper, with the name of the feed
on it." ■ Ellis's Directions for bringing over Seeds and Plants.

| Miller relates that tiie feeds of Com-Sallad, which had lain buried in the earth
thirty-two years, when turned up to the air grew as readily as frefh feeds; it is highly
probable that they would not have kepi one third, of that time out of the ground.

«« With

( 77 )
" With rcfpcft to fhrubs and plants, I woulfl recommend fas t
have from confiderable experience found) their being dug up care-
fully, fo as to break the roots as little as pofllblc ; when about
eighteen inches, or two feet his^h, v.r.fh all (tones and earthy parti-
clcs away from the roots as clean as poifible with frefh water, pro-
cure boxes of any kind of wood inch thick, thirty or thirty-fix inches
long, fourteen or lixteen wide, and as many deep ; bore a confider-
able number of holes with a large gimblet in the bottom and lid.
Cover the bottom with foft long wet mofs, about an inch or two
thick, and lay the plants with their tops towards the ends of the
box as clofc as poflible, about two inches de p : cover them with a
layer of wet mofs, inch deep, and proceed with another layer of
plants, and fo on until the whole of the box is filled, covering the
upper layer of ail with wet mofs in like manner. If fome mofs is
alfo added to the ends of the box the better, as their being prcflTed
clofe down in the box does not damage or injure them ; many by fo
doing may be packed in a fmall fpace. Nail on the top of the box
and immerfe it under water in a pond, river, or tub, for a few
minutes to admit it into the mofs ; it may thei. be kept in any damp
cellar or out-houfe free from harm, until fent on board fhip, and
requires no further trouble, but once in five oj fix \\eeks to pour
fome frefh water on the top or bottom, through the holes, to moiften
the mofs within. In this manner vafl quantities of fcarce and va-
luable plants may be eafily tranfported from one part of the globe to
another. Although I have never yet made the experiment myfelf,
I am confident that all kinds of nuts, ar.d hard f ds, may be fent
in this manner from place to place with great piobability of fecurity
and fuccefs ; as the vegetative part of the feed, by being nourished
by the moiiture of the mofs, will be furer preferved, than by any
other mode I have heard of. Smail feds will do very well in dry
papers, or in fmall bottles, mixt with dry fand that has not been

near

( 78 )

fiear fait water ; bulbs keep admirably well alfo in frefh dry fand or
mofs, packed in fmall boxes or kegs."

From countries which we -are not permitted to explore, as China,
Japan, &c. t'-.e curious traveller may obtain many rare plants, if
he will examine the fodder that is brought down from the country,
by the natives ; the indefatigable Thunberg*, who was commiflioned
to collect feeds and fpecimens of plants in Japan for the medicinal
garden at Amfterdam, was prevented by the jealoufy of the Japanefe
from herbarizing in that country for a confiderable time after his
arrival, but from the fodder which he examined very carefully every
time it was brought down from the country for the cattle, he for-
tunately felecled many rare and curious plants.

FERNS.

We cannot difmifs thofe inftru&ions for the prefervation or tranf.
portation of feeds, without taking notice of a very interefting difco-
very which Mr. John Lindfay, a furgeon in Jamaica, communicated
to Sir Jofeph Banks, Bart, in the year 1789, relative to the germi-

* In 1730 he was appointed Profcflbr Royal at Upfal, in the room of Limutus, the
who was then on his travels, and died foon after. In the courfe of fixteen months
• '.. 'Tbitr.'xrg collected three hundred new fpecies of plants ; which are all included in
1 '.era Jejxmca ; and in the fupplement to the plants publimed by Linnaeus the fon
in 17S1, there are more than nine hundred new fpecies, which were communicated by
Mr. Tcxikrg alone ; a proof how ihconfi Jerable mult be our knowledge of (tie botanical
production; of -.hef-. countries btferc that time,

nation

( 79 )

nation and raifing of Ferns from the feed. Wc fhall not prerume
to follow this gentleman through the whole of his very pleafing
difcourfe, but refer our readers, if they defire a far her account, to
the thirteenth article of the Linnaean Tranfactions, Vol. II.

Mr. Lindfay, as being an affiftant to Dr. Clarke, botanift for
that illand, could not be ignorant of the various opinions which
were entertained by botanifts reflecting the fructification of this
tribe of plants, and of the difficulty of railing them from the feeds ;
having fome fpare time when he arrived at Jamaica which he could
with propriety dedicate to a minute obfervance of thofe plants, he en-
deavoured to afcertain their feed; their minutenefs rendered every at-
» tempt todifcover them, by fcarching at the roots of even the l'mallclt
vifible plants fruitkfs, he then thought of fowing the powder or dint
which falls from the leaves when drying in a flower-pot, and ob-
fcrving their progrefs ; to do this with care and certainty he mixed
fome of the powder with fome of the mould it was to be fown
in, and by the alTiftancc of the microfcope was foon able to diitin-
guifh the different parts of the powder, or fructification from the
mould in which it was fown. He next proceeds to relate the altera-
tions which he obferved in the feeds of feveral fpecies, from the
firft'fymptoms of vegetation to the cxpanfion of the leaves, and
illuflratcs the progrefs by feveral figures and fuitablc references.
Engaging in the practice of medicine foon after, he thought no
more of the fubject, till he had the honour of a very polite letter
from Sir Jofeph Banks, Bart, by which he was induced to re-
fume his obfervations, and tranfinit his valuable difcovery to
England.

Ho

( 8o )
He fays " the feeds of Ferns may be procured with readinefs and
cafe by taking thofe frondes or leaves on which the fructification
is copious, fair and confpicuous ; which are of full growth, have a
healthy appearance, and are more expofed to the free air than con-
fined in the made. Thefe leaves, laid on clean paper in a dry
place, foon fhed their feed in the form of duft or fine powder,
of colour varying from black or brown to yellow ; the grofler part
of this powder is the empty capfules, and that very fine part which
adheres clofe to the paper is the feed. The feeds thus procured may
be fown immediately, or kept in paper in a dry place."

He next determines, that like other vegetables, many fpecies
of Ferns requires a foil and fituation peculiar to themfelves ; he
took equal parts of brick mould and good pit marie, at fome depth
below the furface, to avoid the feeds of other plants, mixed them
well together, and with this filled the flower-pot, moiftened it pro-
perly, and made the furface very fmooth ; he then divided it into
fmall fpaces, according to the number of the different kinds in-
tended to be fown in it ; and laflly ftrewed the feeds lightly on
the furface. The feeds which are fown in this manner fhould be
placed in a heat correfponding to that of their native climate, in
a place rather moid than too dry, freely open to the light and
frefh air, but fo fliaded that the direct rays of the fun cannot
reach them.

OBSER-

( 8i )

OBSERVATIONS

On the Manner of making a

1 -I O R T U S - S I C C U S.

The Abbe Hauy, of ihc royal academy of fciences at Paris, in
the year 1785, prcfentcd that fbciety with the following interertir.g
obfcrvations, relative to the prcfervation of dried plants.

" Of all the productions of nature, there are none more fufceptible
of change than vegetables, or which require more care and attention
for their prefervation. Flowers, in particular, foon lofe their colours
in an herbal, and aiTume others, quite different from thofe boftowed on
them by nature. Yellow grows pale, or becomes nearly effiiccd ;
blue or red are (till more apt to fade or difappear entirely. The
flowers of the Violet, the Campanula, of fevera! fpecies of Gera-
nium, and a multitude of other plants which add to the ornament
of the fields, and often to that even of our gardens, become, i::
a few days fo much tarnilhed, that they cannot be known by any
eye but that of an experienced botanift.

" Thfs inconvenience I have endeavoured to remedy, at leaft, Tn
part ; and as I found it almoft impoflible to fix the natural colours
of plants, I attempted to difcover a method of fubftituting artificial
colours for thtm which might not fade, fo that the flower, by pre-
fcrving its bloom, and all its eflential charafleriftics, might in fomc
degree exhibit its natural colour. For this purpofc, I painted r\
piece of fine paper with water colours in fuch a manner as to have,
as much as pofiibic, the fame degree of ftrength as thofe of nature,

M OA'J

( ** )
only a little fainter, for a reafon I fhall mention hereafter. When
I had done this I threw the leaves into fpirits of wine, where they
foon loft all their colours, and were reduced to whitifh tranfparent
membranes. After having dried them thoroughly, by preffing them
between two folds of a fine cloth, I laid them on the coloured
paper by means of a thick varnifli, which I took care to fpread
over the paper in order that they might adhere to it, I afterwards
drew another paper, feveral times over the flower prefling it ttrongly
with my hand until all the leave's were properly applied, and until
the artificial colours appeared through them. In this operation the
colours become a little darker ; for which reafon it will be necefiary
to make the tints a little fainter than what they are naturally. J
afterwards left the flower a few moments in a prefs, then, having
cut the paper around it, , I applied it with a diflblution of gum-
arabic to the place it fhould occupy on the plant, which had been
before fixed by means of the fame diflblution to a piece of paper of a
proper fize.

'.( It will be of great fervice when thofe flowers even are applied,
which have permanent colours, fuch as the greater part of the wild
Ranunculufes, to begin by cementing the flowers to a piece of paper,
and to cut it round the leaves, as in the preceding cafe, before they
are added to the plant. This operation renders them more natural,
and if their pofition is fuch that they cover the leaves of the plant,
which will often happen, the colour of the leaves does not injure
that pf the flowers, by appearing through their delicate membraness,
which are in part diaphonoys,

" There are fome plants, the leaves of which, on account of
their thicknefs and fpongy fubftance, cannot eafily be dried, and
which become black before their juices have been extracted by the

ordinary

( &3 )
ordinary mode of drying. Such, among others, arc thofe of the
orchis. I have obferved that by peeling off, with a pointed knife,
the thin pellicle which covers the lower part of thefe leaves, before
I cemented them to the paper, it greatly haftened their deficcation,
fo that it generally took place in two or three days; and even in a
much fhorter fpace of time. The leaves then preferred their ver-
dure in a great meafure, or, at leaft, afliimcd only a tint inclining
a very little to yellow, without ever appearing of that black colour
which indicates the lalt degree of decay in a fpecies of productions
the molt beautiful and plcafing in nature.

" I have fubmitted to the infpedtion of the academy the Violet*
the Geranium, and the common Poppy of the fields, the artificial
colours of which have preferred their luftre for many years, I have
added alfo three fpecies of orchis, the leaves of which ftill retain
their frefhnefs after being dried ten years, the fummcr Adonis and
common Cinque Foil, &c. the natural colours of which have been
preferved without any other precaution than the care I took to dry
them between folds of warm paper as fpcedily as I poflibly could,
and not to expofe them to the air, or to moiilurc."

This method may be applied to mod plants, with the greateft
profpedt of fuccefs ; but as the time it will require to preferve only
a few fpccimens may be more than every collector can fpare, a more
fimple procefs is recommended ; dry the plants between the leaves
of a large book, or meets of flout paper, and prefs them even in a
ferew-prefs, or let them remain under a heavy weight for fome
time ; then fpread a thin coat of gum-arabic on the pnper, ai d
difplay the plants thereon as fmooth as poflible. They fhould after
this be covered with a thin coat of copal varnifh to preferve them
from the ravages of infects, or the ill effects of damp.

M 2 Plants

( 84 )

Plants lofc all their native verdure in fpirit of wine, but pre-
fcrve their form perfectly well, if therefore they are preferved on
account of the lingular ftrudhire of any part, it is bed to keep
them in bottles, with either fpirit of wine, rum, or brandy, &c.
Spirit of wine diluted with common water will prefcrve the colours
of fome plants tolerably well.

The mod interefting difcourfe we have met with on the pre-
fevvation of vegetables, is that which Dr. Withering communicated
to the Linna:an Society in December, 1794; it is inferted as the
;.3d article of the fecond volume of the Tranfactions of that Society.
Dr. Withering has confined his difcourfe to the prefervation of
Fungi, only obferving that Modes and Lichens might be preferved
in qrcat perfection by the fame methods.

He obferves that acids, even thofc of a mineral origin, are apt to
produce mouldincfs ; that neutral falts often deftroy the texture of
the plants ; though perhaps a weak folution of common fait, with
a fufficient quantity of fpirit of wine, might be ufed advantageoufly
for the prefervation of Fuci, and other marine vegetables. Earthy
falts feem ufelefs, except alum, which prcferves them tolerably well
for a time, but at length they are apt to become mcuiJy.

For the preparation of the liquors No. 1 and No. 2, which lie
found mod efficacious, he has given the following directions.
No. 1 . " To half a pound of vitriol of copper, calle blue vitriol,
reduced to powder, add a pint of cold water : dir th-m together
for a minute, and then throw av\ay the water: upon the remain-
ing vitriol pour half a pint of boiling water: and dir the :. fre-
quently until the liquor be nearly cool. Set it by in a warm pace,
for two or three days, to cryftallize.

a. *' Take

( »5 )

" Take any quantity of theie cryftals, add to them as much
hot water as will barely diffolve them, and put the folutioa into
a vial.

** To two or three quarts of pure fpiing water, put as much
of this folution of blue vitriol as wiU give the whole a very flight
bluifti Tinge : then add to it, rectified fpiiit of wine, in the pro-
portion of a pint to a gallon : filter the liquor through blotting or
«ap paper, and put it into bottles for ufe."

*' No. 2. Diflblve a quarter of an ounce of fugar of lead in
a pint of diftilled or very pure fpring water, made boiling hot ;
i add feven pints of pure cold water, and one pint of rectified fpirit

of wine : filter the liquor, and keep it in bottles."

" The above proportion of fprrit of wine is fufficient for the

» thickeft and mod fucculent fpecimens, but lefs will do for fuch as

arc thick and not juicy. If the fpirit be fufficient to prevent

mouldincfs, it is enough, for more has a tendency to extradl the

colours."

" Put the fpecimens into widc-mouthed jars made of flint glafs,
and well fitted with corks : fill the jars quite full with one or other
of the above liquids, fo as to leave in as little air as poffible :
cork the jars very clofe, covering the corks with tin foil, or flieet
kaJ, fuch as may be had from the dealers in tea, turning the edge
of the lead or tin downwards fo as to lap over and under the edge of
the jar.

" The dark-coloured plants are very apt to difcolour the liqour,
the milky ones to render it turbid, and fome of the juicy ones to

excite

( 86 )

exdte the vinous fermentation. In any of thefe cafes the liquor
riiuft be repeatedly changed.

11 I have principally nfed the liquor No. I ; but No. 2 is bed
adapted to prefefve fome of the more tender colours, and it alfo
keeps the texture more firm. Let the botanift however be careful
not to mix the liquors, nor to change one for the other after a plant
has been wetted with one of them."

Dr. Withering in the courfe of this diflertation has alfo given
fome inftru&ions for the tranfportation of Agarics ; his method is
nearly the fame as that prefcribed by Colonel Davies for the tranf-
portation of fhrubs and plants in general, except that he advifes to
put the plants and mofs in layers into an earthen jar, inftead of an
open box ; and to pour in the liquid No. i, as long as the layers
of mofs, between the plants* will continue to imbibe any ; then to
flop up the mouth fecurely.

FINIS.