On the Formation of a Local Museum. 41
In the arrangement of the Animal kingdom the two leading
divisions will be the Invertebrata and the Vertebrata—animals
without and animals with vertebras, or spinal columns. The
invertebrate animals may be grouped in the following chief
subdivisions, called "Sub-Kingdoms," viz.:—Protozoa, Caelen-
terata, Echinodermata, Vermes, Arthropoda, and Mollusca. The
vertebrate animals will, of course, comprise the Fishes,
Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals.
"With regard to the mode of preserving the various speci-
mens of animals and plants which may be collected, we
cannot do better than quote from a letter of the late
Professor Bell, addressed some years since to the secretary
of a local natural history society, who was at that time
engaged in projecting a museum.
The quadrupeds which it would be necessary to preserve
in any local museum are comparatively few and small. The
Bats, which are the especial objects of interest, should
be skinned and slightly stuffed, and may be pinned or
attached with thread to small pieces of thin wood or card-
board.
Other quadrupeds, such as the smaller Insectivora, Car-
nivora, and Rodentia, should all be well and naturally stuffed,
as well as the birds, and should be kept in closely glazed
cases. Most of the Reptiles are better preserved in spirits.
The skull of every quadruped should be preserved (by having
the flesh removed, and being then macerated in cold water
for some days), as well as the head and feet of the more
remarkable birds.
The Bats, Voles, and Shrews, are objects of special
inquiry, and collectors should endeavour to obtain specimens
which would settle the question as to the identity or dis-
tinctness of several so-called species.
Pish, like Reptiles, are best preserved in spirit,2 and by
having a thread passed under or through the gill-covers,
2 In this view we have ventured to differ from Professor Bell, who
suggested the preservation of fish by taking off half the skin, sticking
them on board, and varnishing them—a course which, for many reasons,
is objectionable.
E