The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-05-02
Communications.
For the Herald Of Freedom.
I U5 Itr IItFutU " IIcc1uHss
Natural History Of Kansas.
TO THE CITIZENS

OF KANSAS.
; As citizen OF Kansas, the under
signed feels deep interest in common
with you, in the development of the
agricultural and educational facilities
of our Territory. And as the study
Of the Natural History of our country
is essential to a perfect educational
and agricultural system, and must
prove highly beneficial to the emf
grants and citizens; We propose to
commence at once the formation of an
extensive cabinet of woods, soils, ami
mails, plants, minerals, &c, which
viii be accessible to every person who
may desire to avail himself of the op-
portunity afforded by such collec-
ton, and also assist in the incomplete
known History of Kansas. To this
end duplicates of the specimens o5-
tanned will be placed in the hands of
competent naturalists, engaged il
studying the various classes. tkat all
may be accurately determined, and the
new species described. Arrangements
have been made with the Smithsonian
Institution at Washington city, with
Robert Ksanicott, Curator OF Muse
am of the North Western University,
Illinois, and other persons and scien-
tific organizations; with large op-
portunities for the diffusion OF know
ledge, by which we will have the BEN
eft of any new collections and dis
coveries made, and whilst benefting
our own community, also aid the
cause of science, education, and the
agricultural interests at large.
The time has come when the prac-
tical benefit resulting from such col
lections is too we'll known to need
comment. A little time spent by each
person in his own neighborhood in
procuring specimens will not only
help in forming a cabinet for a State
University, but also supply collec-
tion which will be of much use to the
community. and viii be the means of
material aid in the investigation of
the Natural History of Kansas. Be-
low We give some instructions for the
collection and preservation Of speei-
mems. Those who may desire it can
obtain further information, by ad-
dressing w. F. N. Army, LAWRENCE.
Particular attention is called to the
animals. Very little time or skill is
required in the collection and preser.
yation of many of these, and all of
the special outfit positively necessary
in making a collection of considerable
value is some alcohol and bottles.
The alcohol used for preserving ami
mails should, if possible, be 70 per
cent. strength. In the absence of al
eohol. high-wines or strong whisky
wilde but, in using whisky or weak
alcohol, many specimens must not be
crowded into small quantity of IL
quor. Empty pickle jars or similar
wide.mouthed bottles. stone ware,
churns with tight covers secured by
melted taliow or wax, very wide
mouthed stone jugs. kegs with large
bung-holes. or, in fact, any tight ves-
sci with sufficiently wide mouth. that
can be tightly corksd. may be used to
contain mammals, reptiles and fishes;
the insects should be kept separately,
in = small, wide-mouthed bottle
Care mnst be taken to keep the yes
sells tightly corked, and it would be
well to keep them in cool cellar in
summer. 1t is advisable to change
the alcohol in which specimens have
been kept for two or three months. and
oftener, if any but strong liquor has
been used. In packing specimens of
any kind for transportation. the boxes
must be filled tightly and quite full.
to preveas rabbing. With animals,
in alcohol, the greatest care must be
used to have the vessel quite full. or,
If not full of specimens, to fill it Up
with rags or paper. and then to fill
quite full with alcohol, as any space