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Show 598 ADVICE TO COLLEC'rORS. Oct. 1836. years since a large city was here overwhelmed by an earthquake. It is asserted that the land then subsided, and a wall of a convent now bathed by the sea, is shown as a proof of it: the fact is probable, but the supposed proof not conclusive. I returned home by another road, which first led along the northern shore, and then crossed the central part of the island. This north-eastern extremity is particularly well cultivated, and produces a large quantity of fine wheat. The square open fields, and small villages with whitewashed churches, gave to the view, as seen from the heights, an aspect resembling the less picturesque parts of central England. We soon reached the region of clouds, which during our whole visit hung very low and concealed the tops of the mountains. For a couple of hours we crossed this central and elevated part, which is not inhabited and has a desolate appearance. When we descended from the clouds to the city, I heard the good news that astronomical observations had been obtained, and that we should go to sea the same evening. On the 25th we called at the island of St. Michael's for letters, and then steered a direct course for England. On October 2d the Beagle anchored at Falmouth, where I left her, having lived on board the little vessel very nearly five years. As this volume may possibly fall into the hands of some one about to undertake a similar expedition, I will offer a few pieces of advice, some of which I observed with much advantage, but others, to my cost, neglected. Let the collector's motto be, "Trust nothing to the memory;" for th~ me~ory becomes a fickle guardian when one interesting obJ~Ct ~~ succeeded by another still more interesting. Keep a hs.t With the date of the ships by which every box of spec1me~s, or even a letter, is transmitted to England; let the receiver do the same: it will afterwards save much anxiety. Put .a number on every specimen, and every fragment of a speCimen; and during the very same minute let it be Oct. 1836. ADVICE '1'0 COLLECTORS. 599 entered in the catalogue, so that if hereafter its locality be doubted, the collector may say in good truth, " Every specimen of mine was ticketed on the spot." Any thing which is folded up in paper, or put into a separate box, ought to have a number on the outside (with the exception perhaps of geological specimens), but more especiall!J a duplicate number on the inside attached to the specimen itself. A series of small numbers should be printed from 0 to 5000 ; a stop must be added to those numbers which can be read upside down (as 699. or 86.). It is likewise convenient to have the different thousands printed on differently coloured paper, so that when unpacking, a single glance tells the approximate number. For specimens in spirits of wine, I found the following plan answered admirably: Get a set of steel dies from 0 to 9, a small punch, and some sheets of trebl!J-thick tinfoil. The numbers may at any time be stamped in a line, w~th a hole punched i~ front of each, and then cut off with a pair of scissors as wanted. These tickets cost little trouble in making, and do not corrode. Each specimen in spirits · should be loosely folded up in ve1:1J open gauze, or some such stuff; the string which ties up the corners may likewise secure the number. Use nothing but glass jars; but these are difficult to be obtained of any size out of Europe. Jars of earthenware, and wooden casks, either leak, or allow of evaporation ; and when such are used, it is not easy to know whether the specimens are too much crowded (a very common fault), or in what state the spirit is in, which through glass can be judged of by its colour. Bear in mind, that in nine out of ten specimens which are spoiled, it is owing to the spirit being too weak. The jars should be closed with a bunO' covered by bladder, twice by common tinfoil, and by bladder again ; let the bladder soak till half putrid. I found this plan quite worth the trouble it cost. Few, excepting those who have travelled in ships, know the extreme inconvenience of want of room ; and on this much depends : but if it be practicable, keep three or four sets of |