INSTRUCTIONS
ON THE BEST MODE OF
COLLECTING, PRESERVING AND TRANSPORTING
OBJECTS OF
NATURAL HISTORY.
It is the actual state of our collections and of our Knowledge of Natural History of which we are about to speak. But as this memoir, though specially destined for our Museum and for our countrymen, may be consulted by foreign naturalists for the sake of our collections as well as for their own, we would invite the attention of collectors to any point that may seem defective or capable of improvement, and we invite all travellers to make known to us the results of their experience that we, and the whole learned world, may profit by them.
It is not simply a series of instructions which we make here, it is an appeal to all who interest themselves in the cause of science and of their country. We will point out to them the means of enriching this great national establishment, which, open to public curiosity and study, can only be rendered perfect by the aid of many hands. It cannot itself support travellers except upon a few limited points, and even there, such is the inexhaustible fecundity of nature, much remains to be done.
As for amateurs, who can give but few moments to the study of Natural History, who have not hitherto occupied themselves with it, but who have, notwithstanding the desire to render their sojourn in certain points little explored, profitable to our object, we have thought that instead of collecting a great number of objects, they would do well to limit themselves to such as are signalized as curious and indicated in the list of our desirata. They could thus economise time, and employ it more usefully, not only in collecting the objects which we recommend but also in bestowing upon them that care which would insure their preservation.
These instructions are devided naturally into three chapters, corresponding to the three kingdoms of nature; each part has been prepared by such of the professors as it especially concerns.
The instructions will make known: