twat Tet story Soctet a... OF MONTREAL, # yee (WITH me RECTIONS FOR PRESERVING AND FORWARDIN _ OBJECTS OF NATURAL HISTORY, Sam cain wih MONTREAL, RINTED AT THE MONTREAL GAZETTE OFTICE, NP Ne Pe ne er peer et teres *% 1 SB, “on CONSTITUTION WATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY * OF MONTREAL. Artictix 1st, The Society shall be. called the - Narurat History Soctery oF Montreal, and its chief object shall be the investigation of the Natural History of Canada, 2d, It shall consist of an indefinite number of _ Ordinary, Corresponding and Honorary Mem- _ bers, all to be chosen by ballot. Ordinary Mem- bers are those who pay an annual subscription of five Dollars, or a life subscription of ten Pounds. Corresponding Members are those who reside at a distance from the city. Honorary Members can ~ be those only, who are distinguished for scientific attainments; A ae - 8d, Propositions for the election of new Mem. bers, whether Ordinary, Corresponding or Hos norary, shall require to be made in writing and seconded; and the name ef the person proposed, together with those of the proposer atid seconder, shall be placed in some cqpspicuious part of the Society’s room, till the next Ordinary Meeting, at 7 which the ballot on the proposal shall take place. 4th, "Vhe affirmative votes of two-thirds of the Members present shall be required for the elec- tion of an Ordinary Member, and those of three. fourths, for that of a Corresponding or Honorary Member, and for the two latter, the votes of twelve Members, at least, shall be necessary. th, There shall be elected annually, on the 18th day of May, for the government of the So- ciety, the following Officers: viz. a President, a Ist, 2d, and 3d Vice President, a Corr espn ing Secretary, a Recording Secretary, a Treasuret and a Librarian and Cabinet-keeper, and likewise a Committee of five Members, which, together with the Officers, shall constitute the Council of the Society. : 6th, Corresponding Members shall have no vote, and shall not be eligible to office in the So- ciety, but Honorary Members shall enjoy all the privileges of Ordinary Members, except in voting for the election of Officers. 8 “th, In the election of Officers and Commit- tees, a simple majority shall be sufficient. , 8th, All motions which are not adopted unani- mously, shall be determined by ballot. 9th, ‘The Society shall meet on the last Mon. day.in every month, throughout the year, at 7 o'clock, P.-M. from the 1st November to the Ist April, and at 8 o’clock, P. M. during the remain- der, and at every such Ordinary Meeting, ten Members shall be required to constitute aquorum, Extraordinary Meetings may be held at other times, at which fifteen Members shall be paises to be present. 10¢h, Bye- laws for the government of the So- ciety may be made and aitered from time to time, but any intended alteration or addition shall be announced and read one month previous to being submitted to the ballot, ‘and the assent of two- thirds of the Members present shall be necessary for its adoption. — 11##, No alteration in the Constitution can be _ made, but on the written motion of three Mem- bers, and after two months notice, and with the assent of three-fourths of the Members present. 12th, Any Member may be expelled by a vote of three-fourths of the Members present at an Extraordin ary Meeting called for the purpese. BY E-LAWS, —204-- OF MEMBERS. }. All Ordinary Members shall be required to pay their entrance subscription within two months after election, and to sign their assent to the Constitution of the Society. The second, and all subsequent subscriptions, shall fall due on the Ist of May in every year. : 2. Ordinary Members shall, on payment of _ their fee, be furnished with 2 printed copy of the Laws. . _ 8. No Ordinary Member in arrear for one year shall be eligible to hold office, or to vote, and if, after two years, his debt still remains due, he shall, if refusing to pay, be ipso facto ex- pelled. r i | _ 4 Corresponding Members shall pay no fee— if coming to reside in town, or wishing to be- come Ordinary, they shall not require a new election, but only the payment of the fees. They _ are entitled to attend the Meetings of the So- ciety. *5. Honorary and Corresponding Members shall receive a Diploma gratis, to be forwarded with the notice of the Corresponding Secretary announcing their election. Ordinary Members +?" bt alg hi Pee fe | “oe ae te Cree) ty ae) ee . \gh 4 6 shall pay to the dreams for a Bees five shillings, | a OF OFFICERS. . The President, when in the Chair, shall re. Within the order of the Meeting—shall in, form the Society of the proceedings since the last Meeting—shall direct the Secretaries to read reports and ¢ communications, and to acknowledge the latter when necessary-——shall receive and read motions, and cause the sense of the Society to be taken on them—he shall announce to the So- clety what he may think concerns its mterests— he shall keep order, but appeal may be had from his decision to the Society itself, provided it be sustained by a written motion, signed by: five Members,—he shall have a vote, and likewise 3 casting vote. . Q. The Vice-Presidents shall ie named ‘Ist, Qd and 3d, accor ding to the number of votes in the election of each. In the absence of the Pre- sident one of the Vice-Presidents shall’ preside: according to precedence, and shall have all the duties and privileges of President. 3. The Corresponding g come shall conduct all the Correspondence of the Society r—shal] ana nounce to Members their election—shall read — all communications, made to him, relating to the Society, and shall acknowledge all donations. 4, Uhe Recording Secretary shall take minutes of the proceedings “of tite Meetings of the So. ciety, and keep a record of th 1em—shall have the charge of all papers belonging to the Society— shall read the report of Committees—shall cor- duct all ballots and elections (under the diree- tions of the Presiding Member)—and ms shall give notice of the monthly and special M ectings of the Society, at least forty-eight hours before: hand. ; 5. A Secretary, if necessarily absent, shail des pute another Member to fill his place for the evening. 6. ‘Lhe Treasurer.shall have the charge of all monies belonging to the Society+—shall collect all fees, fines, “gcc. —shall pay all accounts which -have been previously approved by the Council— keep a regular account of income and expendi- * ture, which is to be made up, semi- annually, to the Ist May and 1st November. Le shall pro- cure the signature and assent of new Members (at the Hine of receiving their fees), to the laws of the Society. ~ 7% The Librarian and Cabinet-keeper shall have charge of the Library and Cabinet, and shall be accountable for th® Books and Speci- mens—he shall keep separate Catalogues of the Books and Specimens. 8. The Officers and all the Members of the Council shall be elected in the following man- ner :—each Member present, having written the names of those he selects for the different Offices, _ Shall place the paper folded and without signa- ture, in the ballot-box : the Recording Secretary shall then examine the Lists, and report to the President or Presiding Member, the number of votes for each person, ; and the person having the majority of votes for any Office, shall be “duly elected to fill it. | Trees . til OF BHE COUNCIL. THe Council (composed of all the Officers, and of the Committee elected at the same time), shall édndict all the business of the Society, report: ing jts proceedings at each Ordinary Meeting, for approval. The Council shall have the direc: tion of the Cabinet, and shall cause the Speci- mens to be properly arranged and labelled. It may purchase or make agreements for Specimens, ~The Council shall choose a Chairman, who shall preside at its Meetings; but in his absence any other Member may be called to the ehair. Any five Members may constitute a Quorum at. any stated Meeting, or after due notice of a Special Meeting, Vhe Chairman or any two. Members maycalla Meeting, but there shallbea _ - regular Meeting on the Friday preeeding the last Monday in each Month, for the purpose of ~ drawing up a report of its proceedings. The Council shall refer any thing of importance to the Society itself. pte * OF COMMITTEES: : 1. On the first Monthly Meeting after thé Election of Officers, there shall be elected five - Members, who shall have the superintendance of the Library, and be ealled the Library ‘Com- mittee. It shall recommend to the Librarian to procure what Books it may be proper to pur- chase (provided the price of any one work do not exceed twelve dollars, in which case Te- ference must be had to the Society, and provid- ed also that the amount of money laid out for Books, do not exceed the appropriation made by the Society or its Council). The Library Coms mittee shall report to the Corncil, any new pur- chases, before the Friday préceding the Monthly Meeting of the Society. It shall form a”Cata- logue, to be left with the Librarian. It ‘shall | : : : . decidesyhat Books may be taken out, and what, ‘not, and on what terms, and shall exact fines for, non-performanée of the conditions. 1t-shall re- port to the Society the state of the Library, on the last Monday in April. — ah _ 2 On the last- Monday in April, there shall be elected three Members to form the Com- mittee of Finance. It shall examine the Trea- surer’s account and report thereon, and likewis¢ report on the income aid, expenditure of the Society for the last year. rk: Sag amg _ & On the last Monday in April, there shall be elected five Members to formthe Committee of Pblication, to whom all the Hssays read bes fore the Society, shall be referred, to the end that they may select those that may A a of sufficient value, and cause them to be published. * ‘ - OF ‘THE CABINET. ‘ eeper. It sball include four Copartne sie viz: of Zoology, Botany, Mineralogy and Miscella- nies, for each of which a separate catalogue shall be madeby the Keeper, wherein each specimen shall be entered, and numbered, to correspond with the number aflixed to itself. No Specimen shall be allowed to be taken cut, unless with the consent of the Council, or its Committee supers intending the particular department to which theSpecimen belongs. Duplicate Specimens may be exchanged by the Committees tpen. receiv- ing an equivalent. Donations to the Cabinet Shall be entered in the catalogue.of the depart- ment to which they belong, and the name of the donor entered opposite to those of the Specimens. Every Member shall have access to the Museum, B ‘ “<7 oe . , F . = 4 ; , ; : be - . a feeowenins shall be in charge of tae Cabinet- oe) ee : ae a ae oS we , 10 at thre times that may be dpddimed for visiting it by the Couneil, and any Member may intro- duce visiters. No ease shall be opened withedts the knowledge of the aia 9 OF THE LIBRARY. ¢ The Library shall be in charge of the Libra- rian, under the superinte ndance of the Library Committee. The Library Committee shall cause catalogues of the books to be kept, and shall determine what books may be allowed to circulate, and what may not be taken out cf the Library Any Member wishing to take out a book, -must apply tothe Librarian on the proper days, (to. be fixed by the Committee,) and the Librarian shall enter in a book, kept for that purpose, the. title of the book and date of borrawing, under the name of the said Members. Any book (except periodical works, ) may be kept two weeks, and if not,then returned, the Members retaining the book shall be subject to a fine of 3s, 3d. and an additional fine of Is. 34. for every suceeeding week, to be tmposed on the eighth day from the preceding one. Periodical works, whieh have not been three months in the Library, ean be retained only seven days, but those that have been in the Library fora longer time, shall be subject to the same rules as other books. , Books returned at the appointed time may, if not wanted by other Members, be renewed . : -another fortni¢ht. No book shall be purchased for the Library, | unless it shall treat of some scientific subject, or of some branch of Natural History; but dona- tions of books on any subject, may be received... ° = i = Books, when bound, shall have the words : “Natural History Society” @tamped ay ahd backs. On the Monday preceding the Meeting: of the Society in April, all hooks shall be called in, and the Library examined by the Library Com- mittee. « . Any Member injvring or defacing a book shall be fined, or required to replace the ‘work, or pay ‘its value; at the discretion of the Committee, Vines shall. be paid to the Librarian, and by him to the Treasurer. © No Member shalf be allowed to have on. a book, while his fine remains unpaid. Be 4 3 OF MEETINGS. iE n Ordinary Meeting of the Saciety shall be ht a on the last Monday of every month throughout the year, at which ten Members shail be a quorem. » 2 Special. Meetings may be called by the President, or one of the Vice- Presidents, provid- ed they be sanctioned by three other Members, and provided that a notice of the object of the . Meeting shall be given at the same time with tha notification to attend. At such Special Meetings, it shail require fifteen Members to a. constitute a quorum. _ 8, At any Meetingsef the Society, the Presi- dent, if present, shall preside, or if not, any of a, ‘the Vice-Presidents in order of their precedence, ig and if they shall be absent, any other Member who may be elected ; and the person. presiding im the absence of the President, shall have the same privileges, * 4 At any Ordinary Meeting of the Society, —=—_— v= “TS : * ‘the following order of business shall’ be ob b. ‘served, Viz 3 ity . shes Rit 1, aut Chair shall be Be at 7 Oo cde ip: ™ ‘from Ist May to Ist November, and at 8 o’clo ‘during the rcmaining time, for the transaction o: private business, which shall not be _ protra ted beyond one hour. The minutes of the last Nailin shall be ia by the Recording Seeretary. 3. Reports of Committees shall be announced ‘by'the President, and read by the Recor ding Secretary. 4. Communications and Reports shall be” teat by the Corresponding Secretary. * Feport of the ouncil shall be read b he ‘the: Recording § ecretary. ech Liviesivel and additions to the Museu: m- or. Library shail be exposed on the table Mesa, 3. ‘|. THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. ee tine 2 x : “>. ~—s PREPARING THE SPECIMENS. , oF tee, _ OF QUADRUPEDS. A ~ Quadrupeds sufficiently small to be inclosed in a bott ought to be put “into spirituous liquor, but ‘those of dimensions too large to be puit into spirits, should be skinned and care taken to leave the bones of the feet and chead (from which the brains must have been moved) or if that is not possible, at Icast send the jaws. Before you beSin to skin an animal, fill He mouth with flax, cotton or ary sot substance ; ; if there be any wourd eapabie of letting out the b'oed, cotton or tow must aiso be introdu into it. This done,, stretch out the animal on igs back, and kage eise'y the midd:e of the belly, turn back the a ox the right and to Jeft aud open. the skin in a line from the arch or hollow of the groin >: the stomach; you. may even prolong the opening as far as the collar bone, . but as you acyuive more dexterity, you will be enabled to decrease or shorten it. Great care must be taken not to injure the muscles of the beily ox. the entrai's will fall out and soil the skin;, these precautions taten, separate thé skin from the fiesh. both: to the right and Icft ofthe belly (placing pads of tow, moss, cotton or any soft’ substance, a it and the body as you separate it) as far as possible towards the pos part. Disengage the anit", which separate carefully from the intes 80 as to disp’ ay that’ part in its natural arrangement. “Cut the tail ante riocly: andi then separate each thigh at its junction with the bones of t body.. Until th’s meme:t the animal has remained on its back, but no lay ition its side, the posterior patt to the Jeft"and the paws turtied towards. you. Inthis pos.tion the thighs, being separated, recede towards the right, . and give more facility for skinning the back; this last part is always the easiest. It is surtc cient, for Quadrupeds ahs middiing size, to take this skin in one hand and the body in the cther,,and by drawing them in cop~ trary directions, to unskin the body as far as the shou'ders. When you. Ph axrived thus far, cut the arm or fore leg at the shou'der joint, then. . ‘Wisengave or Separate it from the body, put it agaia into the skin’ theiglimal to perform the same w:th the other side. Continue to un the neck, aad pass ¢he bead from.withiv the skin with the help of a 1 Unskin:the head as far as the end of the nose » taking care to éut exis as near as possible to the skull; be particu ar'y careful not to ir tlre cyeiids, and not to cufthe lips too el ose.. When ail this is done, Separate the head from the’ trunk, taking away the m useles in such manuer that all the bones whted:compose it be naked or clean, Enlarg the hole-in the skull by means of a shaury D instrument: : ; Brains,—(the handle of a. spoon is) very proper for fits ee When the eda is well cleaned, pug i back i in nto t ny ee 3 0 bones, then ote phat inal ieg in its skin ax jr operate ‘upon the eM Af terwards treat the hind legs i in the same way—that is to say, skin them as fir es the claws, separate a tendons and ligamen ts from the muscelé leave faem adhering x to the berd of the knee, then take all the. flesh aif th: bones and thrust the leg baat izto the skin. ‘t only new remains to- skin the tail which is the most dificu t: @2 enable you to do so,, diser<- g2g2 or bare the fisst.twwo or three joints ; tie them strong’ ys} withsa-cord,, wach fasten to a cramp iron orto a wall iiook ; pass a cleit ‘stick betweea - the cord. which hods the.tail andthe skin, that is, on the bare joints». witch are of course paced within the cleft; with a hand on each side drasv the stick towards the extremity and the tail comes out of its sheath. Aiter having filled up the body, thighs, head, and eyes with tow, or other- soit substance in the same cuaxtity as the fle shy taken from it, and rubbing we!! the inside of the skin with pepper or apy strong aromat.e¢ substanes- which will keep away vermin, and sprinkling some of the same stuil oa. the outside Hate the body im a convenient pecktaes the s is en ina fit state for being packed. Ae When you can add perfect skeleton of the same it would he a ‘os wervics to science by aiding our collection of objects in Comparative —_ tomy. Thi not ‘necessary to mount the skeletonsy™ but it is suiteient wer hating iled the bones, taken the flesh off, and dried them, te put @li those beloaging to the same aaimal im a bag (collecting together all the bones of thé same part,) filing it up with moss, weed, shreds of paper er any other soft find dry substance, that they may not Bruse each other. * Bave.ope those in paper which ure very fragiie, and take great cure not to lose any. ~_ ~" GF BIRDS. . e ‘f you can procure birds, take care to proportion the shot to their size, not to injure the skins. When the bird fu.is, wipe the b.ood away as sauch as possible, and put a litte cotton, mioss or tow in the beak, that the blood may not rua from it and ivjure the feathers part-cuariy those af the head; shou'd they be soiled civan the p umage wth a sponge aad - ‘warm water. After the head is co.d and the b.ocd is coaguated, take it by the ciaws and the tail to place it in a paper, of, the form of a, hollow . tone. These instructious relate to the mauncr of bringing of birds to the Place of operation. Birds are skinned like quadmpeds. ‘fhe iscisioa . may be made either along the midd.e of the bely cr under the wing of a size suflicient to allow the body to pass through. but take care to preg ve the feet and head with the same precaution, Lit they shou.d be more tetas skinned, because when putrefaction takes placé, the feathcrs fall off. Iu cutting the skin, tuke care to bend back the feathers thut they may not be sciicd. Leave the small bone near the tail with the skin, otherwise the feathers of thatail would be liabie to fall off; aso leave the bones at the extremity of the wings. ‘The tongue and eyes are to be carefully removed. It is desirable, if possibie, to procure at the same time, the male and female, and ; fers ofthe same species of different ages; for birds alter much @peerding to theirage; there are several which have even been tak iffercut species. It is aso very ! to have the nests and eggs. ‘To preserve the eggs, niake a littie le at one end, empty it and fii] it up again with wax, or leave it empty. 1 skeletons of those birds too Jarge to be put im spirits, shoud also be Bent. It is useless to stuif the birds. ‘They would occupy too n.uch room, a sad this operation, which cannot be done well by any oue why is not ex- ia wo oe is much better performed when the skins have arrived at ; ae € heir destination. It is suilicient for the skins, the feet, and head, to be well preserved. 3 A Lan . OF TISH, Rerrizus, &e ye . “As to fish, the species differ, not only according to the country, but ‘even according to the rivers aad lakes they inhabit ; it is therefore essen- ‘- ‘tial that all be procured. Put thea: into spirits, or when they are . 00 large, send the skin only, merely dried, taking care to preserve the “head and fins. Lay the fish, which shou'd be fresh, oa its side, aud cut _ ‘eut the gills with a pair of scissors + then fill up the cavity with tow, to 9) prevent blood or moisture flowing out ; when this is done, witha damp 7 “sponge, carefully wipe the sides of the fish, raise the fins, and geutiy ex- ‘tend them. ‘Then cut two pieces of paper the shape of each fin, but a ‘little la ; Tub a solution of gum arabic on one of the pieces, thou “place it under the fin and spread it out, press the corresponding piece on ‘the top, wliere it will adhere, and drying in a few minutes, wii keep the “parts extended. Tike a piece of thin sik, or gauze paper, and aeutly Wover one side of the fish. ‘The natural g*uton which’ cove strong ¢ will cause it to adhere firmly. Jt will firmiy dry and form © es. n whiney o by which the scales will be preserved in their natural rane take off the skin. After the first coat is dry, you can y one or two" more, if necessar¥, using _ guin-water to the papers. “When they are thoroughly dry, tutn the “fish on a soft cloth, withthe uncovered side ups wards ; open it with sharp vee from the tail to near the me 4 ong the lateral linc, cutting open the cheek to enable you to c,can the cheek of the opposite side under the bone ; for uniess th’s be done, and the cr be filled with tow or cotton, it will inevitably shrink. ‘To the'skin from the flesh, begin at the head and work Cownwards,.. using a sharp knife in Cleaning the flesh from the skin, cutting off the fin bon with scissors. Take away from the skin as much mutter ag possib: e, and dust it with pepper, &c. Stuff the skin to its proper dimens? Ons, with tow or cotton, and sow up the opening with a neede and thread: In a few days it will dry, when the papers may be taken of by dampi pin 4 them with a sponge. ee in tow and pack in boxes. Serpents nay be managed in the same way, or preserved in sp.rits. {it is the same wi reptiles. In. skinning serpents, take eare not to injure the scales ; 3 great caution must be used not to breale the tails of lizards. It is désira: bie to send the skeletons of fish and reptiles which are too jarge to, be put into spirits; these skeletons need not be mounted. It is su®eent to take away the flesherudely and to dry the bones together thoroush'y withou separating them. The whole. skeleton shou: ud be p-aced in a box w tow, moss, cotton or very fine dry sand. If it be too tongs, it a be vided into two or three parts. * « o Ses se oF INSECTS: h wee %: J , \ s Drage Insects avé very various ooedindine to the climats or the nattire of =. ! soil, and are the most difficu't to proeure. If you feel inclined to col in this branch of Zoolegy do not confine yourself to the largest: richest in colour, but collect all without distinetion. Cateh those w ch are furnished with wings and fiy about plants, with small fine nets 3 those which swim in the water by the same means. Seize those Meeps rer which. live on aan and disgusting substances and thee -_ kind of spirits to clean them. A multitude of insects nourish th on trees; procure the greater part by carefiiily searehing under barks of "the trunks and | by shaking the branches over a cloth or reversed. umbrella. Insects may be killed by inv erting over them a glass tumbler or other vessel and bringing it to the edge of. the tabie,. ho!ding two or three lighted matches under if, or they may he killed by touching their heads. w.th spirits. of turpentine of immersing them in spirits of. wine. When you take an insect, seize it by the br cast and sticls it ina box, op ork, or was, with a long pin, To prevent the injury from the wings continuing to flutter, pin a small strip of paper across them - which cae remain til they are dry. When the insects are dry put them into smatl thin boxes, with cork or soft wood, as the cross-cut of deal, at the bottom, pinning them very securely, to prevent their being detached. Jt is ¥ ie: useful to procure the caternillar as weil as the butterfly. When you tal the caterpilar only, it shouid be put into a box with some leaves of the ‘plant on which it was found, that it may trai asform itself. A Baa shouid be made in the. box to ats tthé¢ air. All insects, exeept | sutter- flies may be put into spirits ; it is the best method of sending those whi are large and it has the advantage of preserving the interior organs, wit i le a ee 17 tiay be examined when there is occasion, As heavy. insects may infix themselves from the cork or wax in the small box and one loose insect Way break all the rest, it is a more simple method of preserving thosé of the beetle kind to place, them,’ when dry, in a box of very fine sand. First put a row of-insécts on-a layer of sand, then cover them with another layer of sand about an inch thick ; then place a second row of insects and continue this method “until the box is quite full: the sand must be well heaped up, that nothing may be deranged by the carriage. This is a'so a good method for crabs and such like animals. It is evident that you cannot employ it for butterflies or any other animals of a soft sub- stance. ‘Tlie first ought to be put in boxes—the latter in spirits. Send, in particular, spiders’ and insects said to be venemous: those which are cetyl fr such as ants, &c, and add the nests when they are sufli- ciently solid for convéyance ; the insects to which medical properties are attributed ; those which are employed in dying or any other useful pur- poses, and also all productions of insects which may interest by their sin.. gularity; and whieh ‘are calculated to give new ideas of the instinct ef these animals. ' It must be remembered, in collecting insects, to send a branch or leaf of the tree or plant with which they nourish themselves, and send this with a number corfesponding to that of the insect, Z OF SHELL FISH, Immediately after gathering the shells, dip them in scalding water, that the animal inhabitants may be destroyed ; after which let them remain - for two or three minutes to cool; then pick out the animal with a pointed instrument : put.them in cold water, in which they may lie till they are taken out to be cleaned. Shells encrusted with extraneous matter, should be allowed to steep two or three minutes in warm water, in order to he, a substances, and. to extract, as much as possible, the marine sa'ts. Brush them well with a soft brush ; strong soap may be used, with a piece of woollen or linen cloth, to rub them. Finish them with a soft brush and fine emery or sand, and pack them in cotton.” Land shel!s are particularly valuable. As to crabs and lobsters, note_the names under which they are known ; those which inhabit fhe sea-shores, those of fresh water, those which live on land and those which are eaten by the natives. Content yourselves with sending the shell only of those which are of Jarger size and wash them well in fresh water before you dry them. The smaller kind shou'd be put in spirits; but before you do.so it is very necessary to cleanse them in fresh water to free them entirely from the dirt or marine sa't with which they are impregnated. Without" this, the greater part _~ would be destroyed, even in the spirits, . It is to be desired that every animal which is sent in the skin, in spirits, in the skeleton, &c. shoud be accompanied by a note, stating precisely the coumtry in which the animal was found; the season in which it was ; the manner in which it nourished itse.f; its habits; the name it made of its skin, its flesh, its fat, &e. ; the popu'ar opinions or superstitions whic! _ velate to it amongst the natives; these notes shou’d each have a number, corresponding to that of the animal to.which they relate. It is essential that these numbers should not be written on white paper or on . parchinent but either painted in oil on wood or metal or stamped on hard sub- stances and fastened with a brass wire or very strong cord, either to the skins ezclosed in the cases, ox to the béttles, &c. which contain the aninials. ' C mad in its own country ; if it be useful or destructive; the uses ‘that are 18 >shter S _ OF PACKING FODIGER AT OBJECTS. We doles peeviizusly only nlladect to the preparing of the vith which our friends may be willing to favor our Museum, b mow speak of the method of packing these objects, so that ey BS rive in a good state of preservation, When you pack the skin of au animal, commence by shaking away the insects already lodged ; it will then be sufficient to pass all over the i gids of the skin with a brush dipped in spirits of turpentine. Pack skin, lightly in cotton or any soft substange unpregnated with targieuliter camphor, “or any such article. Then place the skin in the case, which eover all over with pitch-to defend it from damp,. and to prevent the air from getting in. Wor want of spirits of turpentine, use a decoction of very bitter and aromatic herbs, with which wet the skins before you enclose them, and besprinkie them internally and externally with a ton ak “< bacco, pepper or allspice. The same precautions are used for bit each bird must have a little cotton inside ity not to give it entirely its but to prevent the different parts'of the skin from touching, It shoul then be ger aices in a paper bag well closed and the bags put into a cas covered with pitch. The above methods’ are simple and easy ar but little time. ~As to the preservation of animais in spirituous liquors, Al vessels, glass bottles ard'the best, for whatever precautions are taken, a _ portica of the liquor will evaporate through the pores of wood; square _ bottles are to be preferred, if easily had, because they arrange better in _ eases, The perfect NS og of the animal depends on the gua of the liquor, the manner of placing them in the botties and the met! of - $€al Hing the bottles. Gin, Rum, Brandy, in short all spirituous jae equaily good, but those which are least coloured are preferred, Kefore you put the puitoal: 1 in the liquor take away all the filth and free it from ail dirt which would soil it: then take precautions that it may not touch: the bottom of the vessel; without this it net only sinks down b eorupte -d: orif sufficiently strong to bear it, a thread may be. pa: hrough the cork and through the “object so as to suspend it, and nae Kos place several animais in tlre same vessel either by the side of one another cr at different heights; they will float in the” liquor. with. out touching, and the mucous substanees which detaeh themseives » from them, tall to the bottom of the vessel, or you may content your placing each animal in a kind of net or bag; tie these bags to the and they remain suspended in the vessel. Make a little incision in the “belly of animals with vertebrae or central column of the skeleton, “t this liguor may penetrate into the interior of the body. - Camph: ad Spirits are good because the can phor augments the preserving quality ot the liquor without adding to its force. It is requisite to add to the liguor atter the animal has been in it some days, to ensure its preservation : this Regen. + is espeeially necessary for those which are most. susceptible f corruption. Then seal the bottles : you should have a stair easily pre~ ered » which Gries and a acquires all its solidity even in the moment of emp! oving it; on which the spirits has ne efect, and which | rfcetiy ad- iséces to the glass. The following will do ; common rosin, yellow wax, aud red gehite, or “pounded brick, in the por tions according to consistence, and’ it may be appued by a linen on a stich, or if to a smal} phial, by im- mersing its :cek, Cork stoppers are preferable ‘to all others, because ee id the bottles thus closed with a piece of linen, firmly tied, and imbued with liu:d pitch, and fer large botties, to support the cork with a i: ace ie taese;et giass often break from various causes. It is useful again to cover- < 19 “ef string which by being fastened to the circumference of the battles, foxms a cross above the cork. Bottles thus prepar ed, may without incu,- ¥enience, be turned over in all directions, expesed to.ail the tossings of ‘the tempest, or transportation, and support the strongest heat without the liguor escaping. 7 i VEGETABLE KINGDOM. —= The treasures of this kingdom are not less important or interesting that that of the animal, and its objects though more numerous, are more easly procured and transported. All plants which are destined for preservation, ought, as often as possible, to be gathered in flower ahd in fruit. “When the plant is small take it entire, even with the root; when it is large, cut - branches about 12 to 15 inches long. ‘The easiest wetliod and one of the best is to use an old book suited to the size of the platit. Place the plaut with the parts sufficient! ly spread out on a leaf and close a tie book upon it. Then put over it a picée of wood as large or larger than the book on which the weight is to be placed, and the whole to remain so in a’ diy » Place for five or six days. Several plants, if not very thick, maybe oh ) the same book and pressed at the same time, taking care to put them it tl parts of the book. After they are dry they may be easily: kept . ina book, and any notices, written on paper, and affixed to them by a hoie dees paper and passing the stalk through it. When no book large fh is at hand, put the plants well extended between leaves of common news-paper or blotting-paper, using similar pressure as above, which must - Mot_be removed till they have become dry. it is generally sufficient for their perfect drying, that the specimens shou'd be separated by several esheets of brown paper. In humid countries and seasons, it is desirable to accelerate their drying by an artificial heat. For that purpese, piace @ number of plants between two planks, separate from each other by two - three. sheets of paper, and piace this packed in a steve or oven, after bread is taken out ; this quick method does not even alter the coleur. wh hey are dry, change the paper. There are some plants which are ‘watery, and which continue to vegetate in the herba!s several months after they have been placed there. When these plants are’ gathered i in the state in which you wish to preserve them, plunge them. for a minute into boiling water, then put them between two ieaves of . are paper, they will afterwards dry quickly, as the action of the boiting have destroyed the life of the plant. You wili take netice that i . laying out any plant for drying, you wiil put it into such a position as will at least shew to advantage the form of the flowers, leaves, &e. without putting it into any unvatural position. Grasses, which should always be gathered in flower and fruit, need no further preparation’thas ig and not: pressed. To suit them to the size of the book. or parce! that is to hold them they may be doubled two or three times ; mosses, likewise, need no further preparation than mere drying and may be packed by roiling the heap of moss in a paper inclosing the necessary.» notices of its locality, time of gathering, abundance, &e. &e. On each packet of plants of the same species, put a note indicating the name the plant bears in its own country, the height of the countzy above the level of the sea, if known ; in short the same notes which are rey OP ten pie SPT OURRACN ES. Ol Wt Ev Ove a OP “ ° < quired for animals. - It is also useful to notice the heights of the plant, fhe - * colour of its flowers.and the odour they exhale, as these conaey eis ar * learned from dried specimens. . * . Herbals, when they are perfectly dry, should be pastel in cases covered with pitch to defend them from mice and insects ; and it 5 es prudent to add a litte cotton imbued with dap aed or any aromati cs substance. ts The fruits of trees may also us sent, the acca iv cases with tickets which indicate the branch or specimen to which they belong ; the pulpy should be put in'spirits, in separate phials. Gums, resins and others xem, crements of trees, shou'd also be sent in the same manner : and a also» packed similarly to the herbals with similar notes. . - ok. om As seeds may enable. us to propagate plants not before known ; they will be very acceptable. “They shou‘d be gathered when perfectly” ripe, and well wrapped up. (with a paper giving the name, locality, properties, &c. of the plant which produces), to keep them from the least exposure todamp. You cannot take too much care of assuring yourse:f of the ripe- ness of the seeds as it is useless to send seeds not arrived at maturity. Piants which are used in medicine, and are used by the inhabitants for healing purposes, and all vegetable poisons should particulariy be senty, wath notices of their properties attached. " It is also desirab!e to send specimens of useful woods. ‘These specimens ought to be about four inches long, and if possible, the usual width of the tree ; also a longitudinal and transversal cut of the tree, but it is most es. sential to put a number on the wood, corresponding to the branch of the tree in the herbal, for botanists are still ignorant to what trees several of the woods be! ong which are made use of by the natives or Va m ths. commerce and trade of the country, 1. MINERAL KINGDOM, ce Bi ‘ oul witreraté een the third kingdom of nature and are equa!ly intérestiag Aid 4 equally useful as the productions of the other two kingdoms. In collect.— ang fragments or specimens of rocks, minerals, volcanic productions ‘thet organised bodies, it is most essential to note their stratification we at “ is te say, the nature of the place in which they are found, and their rela. tive position with the minera!s which environ them. In detaching speci- * mens from the mass, take eare to leave round the principal metal or crystal, if such is the nature of the mineral, either portions of the other metals or minera's which are associated with it or of the stony substances — which often accompany it, especially those which are cristallized. If you find earths which contain the remains of organized beings, such as— the bones of animals, shells, impressions of fish and vegetables, collect, with €are, specimens of their different bodies, having them enveloped i in a portion of the earth or stone in which they were fixed. In case you should find any traces of voleanic ore procure specimens of the dif- ferent substances thrown up by exp! osions, some of which are in a state of stone, others similar to glass, others in a state of scorie or lava. A ticket should be fixed to each specimen indicating the name of the © country where it was found, the spot from which it was taken, and when, Wherever warm or m ineral waters are found, care shou!d be taken to — GK phials with them, which should be well corked and sealed. A note of , ig 21 . pe plaee where found, the time and their probable cause, shoy'd ac. sompany each phial. be we , In some places foul or highly impregnated gases arise from the tbowels of the earth; these-can be taken by piacing a simall tube or pipe over the place where the gas issues ; this tube leading into the mouth of gv reyersed phial, filled with water, will then condyct the gas, and by the .accession of gas, the watcr becomes disp.aced. It shou.d Le then well corked and sealed. It would be useful'to collect the sand of/small rivers, especially those which carry metallic. spangles with them, but the sand niust be taken as #ar from their mouths as possible. In some countries, solitary masses are found, to which the people at- vtribute a singular origin; take fragments of them; some of them may have fallen from the sky, others may have been transported by the revo- Jutions of the Globe. Those which have been positively known to have ' fallen shou!d be also noticed. A note mentioning the probable size af their masses, when and where found, shou'd accon:pany them. In gathering the fragments of rocks, mines, volcanic productions, fossii “rganized bodies, the most essential thing is to notice their bearing, that as to say, the nature of the soil where they are found, and their position xelative to the minerals which environ them. You need not trouble your, self with large specimens ; as pieces fromm J to 3 inches, aud 4 inch thick are sufficient. ‘Take large masses only when they contain a fossil animal. To pack the specimens, cover them first with moss, or soft substances ; athen roll them in paper; and over that Lrown paper, iuclosing with- in the packet the note descriptive of the minergl. Arrange carefully all ithe speciniens in a case, close upon one another, filling the interstices well with moss, &e. so that the whole forms a mass, which nothing can disturb. “The case shou!d be covered with pitch, to defend it from air and damp. When the cases are filled, closed and covered with pitch, they should be Kept as steady as possible, not tumbled over careless:y, and should not on any account.be opened or unpacked, until they reach their destination, As thert is always a risk of their being broken or injured. Ail dresses, weapons, utensi's, nanufactures, o1 productions of the natives will always be high!y acceptabie to the Society. ‘Lo each article shou.d ibe attached a sma!l note stating the use of each grticie, how aad where amade, and any other information concerning it, that may prove useful, _ We shall always feel grateful, even for the slightest favors and ackuow- Jedgements, but at the same time we would hint, thut the more attention you can afford to our instructious, the more you will realize our views for the benefit of science and our country. ‘(hese instructions have been aompiled for the yse of those who have not hitherto devoted themselves to the study ef Naturai History, but it is hoped they may prove neither prolix, nor obscure. . We shall always gratefully return, while in our power such duplicates _ #8 you may desire, to enrich your own Cabinet, if you have commenced any. a yt ‘ vat her $. Sewer, President, of. W. M‘iXay, Lt. Col. 77 tans Hl. Hinz, A. C. G. Picc-Presidents. W. CaLpwWELL, M. D. J. S. M<¢Corp, Ss ee A. F. Hotmes, M. D. t is: slate Vi. Corse, Treasurer. . HEL Cunxincuam, Lidrarian and Cabiue:-keengs:. Moyea, March, 122... ite ; eid. she pike 7 , ie Pa Ut ae Vee ay < . = / ) , - = . . ¢ % ” : 4 pe so beta: 3 espa re lai fit athe). oe ¥ j ‘ wR i a) ners ba LIST OF THE MEMBERS. & OF THE WATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. PATRON. ; ®lis Excellency the Eart or Datnovusiz, G. C. B. Governor-in-Chiefg “ORIGINAL MEMBERS AT THE INSTITUTION OF THE ri SOCIETY, MAY 18, 1£27. Stephen Sewell. Ri. Berthelet, M. D. Hugh Hill, A. ©. G. John Try. Wn. McKay, Lt. Col, Ind. Dep’t.} R. Cieghorn. Wm. Caldwell, M. D. Patrick H. Ogilvie. J. S. McCord. R. Armour, Jun. A. F. Holmes, M. D. James Scott. H. H. Cunningham, Wm. Robertson. H. Corse. David Lrown. Rev. H. Esson. James Campbell, M. D. J. Stephenson, M. D. f Gle. Vallée, M. D. J. M. Cairns. Wm. Beilin. ‘Rev. J. Somerville. Peter Diehl. Rev. A. Mathieson. J. R. Spooner. MEMBERS ELECTED SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT. . ' HONORARY MEMBERS. | Basi] Hall, F. R. S. Capt. R. N. ~ John Franklin, ¥. R. S. Capt. R: N. John Bichardsoii, M. D. F.RB.S. John Torrey, M. D. Professor of Chemistry and Botany, New-York, Jas. Norbes, M. D. Inspector of Hospitals, ' ca: ¢ eo a= ne AER Os ee ta PP eee ie ie oil eit. amills ars ‘, . ne Ae. ‘ 24 Wm. Danlop, M.D. M. W. S. Warden of the Canada —— Forests, Upper-Canada.- , ~ John Galt, Superintendant, Canada Company. Wm. Spence, F. L. S. London. Robert Jameson, F. R. SK: P. wv: Ss. Professor of. Natural History, Edinburgle OP dey Robert Kaye Gréville, L. LD? F. R. s: E Edinburgh. W. J. Hooker, 1. L. D. FOR. A. and L. S. Professor of Botany, London. Samuel L. Mitchill, M.D. F. L. S. New- York. Benjamin Silliman, M. D. Profésér of Chemistry, Yale College, Con. necticut. * Parker Cleaviand, M. W. S. Proféssor- aa Natural Philosop yan Bowdoin College, Maine: : os + ge & Thomas Nuttall, Av MT. F. L. S. Cambridge, Massachusetts vary Hon. Josiah Quincy, Boston. Jacob Bigelow, M. D) Professor of Mat. Med. and. Botany, Hartera University. Hon. Cadwallader coiden, Vew-York.- sme» CORRESPONDING MEMBERS. David Thompson, Glengery, Upper-Canada. George Anderson, F. R. S. E. Inverness, Scotland. » oli Coldstream, M.D. Léith. 4 ext alh oem ae Edward Grieve, Three-Rivers. . . George Longmore, Capt. R. 8. C. eesti Vas, ED Mefr, -Thfée-Riters. eae ~ P. Chasseur, Quebec. ‘ 4 Alex. Stevenson, Chambly. Rev. Hugh Urguhart, Cornwall, Uprer- Canada. Hon. Mathew Bell, Quebec. i. C. Beck, M. D. Professor of Botany, Troy. : T. It. Beck, M: D. Professor of Medicine, Western College, Ni w-Fork, ™ Rev. Amos Ansley, Hull. , : Wm. Sheppard, Quebec. . ote s Jer. Van Renselaer, M. D. Neiw: Forks, ‘5 ; KF. L. Hayden, William Héniy. . ’ thao ad F. H. Baddely, Lt. R. ¥. . 5 f, Hugh Boné, M. D. Inspector of Hospitals. Henry Wolsey Bayfield, Capt. R. N. Lieut. Collings, R. N.- ‘ : George Rolph, Dundas, Upper-Canada. et Me Martyn Paine, M. D. New-York. . acs ; Wm Lyons, M-D. Staff Surgeon, Edinburgh. P. MéeNaughton, M. D. Prof, of Anatomy, Western Colleges Rianne Major General Hf, C. Darling, Military Seeretary, Quebec. George Scott, St. Johné. James Badgley, Lt. R. N. Wm, Fraser, Murray Bay. Andrew Stuart, Quebec. David Stuart, Quebec. Ajex: MeNahb, Byioun, Upper-Canada Wm. Cormack, Newfoundland, _ ue % ay Rev, J. Bethu Hon. Chief Ngee Jas. Reid. . John Richardson. _ David Ross. i Wn. Badgley. “35. C. Grant. ee: O‘Sullivan. J. Boston. James Scott. Samuel Gale. C. Sweeny, Jun. ‘William Pardy, M. D. D. Tracey. James Leslie. R. U, Harwood. EL Gates. P. M‘Gill. M. J. Hayes. _ John Fleming. F. Figg, Col. RB. E. * Samuel Gerrard, 2 D. Bolton, Capt. R. E. - J. Parker, Brigade Major. oe ~ Isaac Valentine. oe Simpson, Governor, Hudson Bay Territory. Byobn By, Col. R. - B. Workman. : - “5 ‘T. Barrett. ee Wm. Peddie. ee &. G. Keegan, M. D, | | | _ James Holwell, ORDINARY MEMBERS — Alex. Skakel. Nelson Walker, Wm. Farquhar. - Hugh Taylor. C._D. Day. John M‘Taggart. Wm. King, Capt. R. S. C. Robert S. Piper, Capt. R. Fy E., A. Clark. L. G. Brown. Benjamin Holmes. Samuel Hatt. a Lt. Col, D. €. Napier, fn diam Department. W. B. Marlow, Lt. R. EF. partment. Wm. Hedge. Wm, Wallace, Lt. 71st H. L. L James Barlow, Surgeon do. Arthur Ross, F. C. I. Arnoldi, -M. D. Rev. A. Gale. A. Jones, Lt. 71st H. L. 1. Fon. Hi. D. Byng, R. N. D. -Jearrad, poe R. 8. ©. FE. Cleather, Lt. R. S. a Amos Lister, D. A. C, EG harlesyfait, Wm. Freeland. KR. Phipps, Lt. R. S. €, F. W. Porter, M. D. W. H. Dennison, Lt. R. FE. Turton Peun, Win. Town, Ordnance _ De.