In selecting specimens for immersion, regard must be paid to the means
at the traveller’s disposal. Fishes up to 9 inches long may be placed
in spirit, after a slit has been cut in the side of the belly to allow
the spirit to enter to the entrails. With larger specimens, it is better
to pass a long knife outside the ribs, so as to separate the muscles on
each side of the vertebræ. It is also as well to remove as much food from
the entrails as possible, taking care to leave all these in. The larger
specimens can be skinned, leaving, however, the intestines in, and simply
removing the flesh. Very large specimens preserved in this way absorb
very little spirit. All half-digested food should be removed from snakes
and animals. In spite of these precautions, specimens will often appear
to be decomposing; but, by more constant attention to restrengthening the
spirit, they can, in most cases, be preserved.
A case (copper is the best), with a top that can be unscrewed and
refixed easily, should always be carried as a receptacle. The opening
should be large enough to allow the hand to be inserted; this is to hold
freshly-caught specimens. When they have become preserved, they can all
be removed and soldered up in tin or zinc boxes. Zinc is best, as it does
not corrode so easily. The traveller will find it very convenient to
take lessons in soldering, and to be able to make his own boxes. If he
takes them ready-made, they had best be arranged so as to fit one into
another before they are filled. When moving about, all specimens should
be wrapped in calico or linen or other rags to prevent their rubbing
one against the other. This should also be done to the specimens in the
copper case when a move is necessary, as well as to those finally packed
for transmission to Europe. These last should have all the interstices
between the specimens filled in with cotton-wool or rags. If a leak
should occur in a case, specimens thus packed will still be maintained
moist, and will keep some time without much injury. Proof spirit should
be used when the specimens are finally packed, but it is not necessary
that it should be fresh.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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