Work

Innovations that changed Mammalogy: fluid preparation of research specimens

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: In 1831, the H. M. S. Beagle left Plymouth Sound, England, with 74 men on board, including a 22-year-old Charles Darwin. In addition to the several hundred gallons of rum on board for consumption by the sailors (the infamous “tot” British rum ration), the young naturalist had gallons of “spirits of wine” for preservation of specimens. In that era, it was known that spirits of wine (ethyl alcohol, probably the commonly available second distillation of around 60–65% or stronger) was better at preserving specimens than rum (usually no more than 40%). He was to have provided all equipment necessary for the 5-year voyage round the world; however, it...

Source: Journal of Mammalogy

DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyab003

Authors: Robert M Timm, Suzanne B McLaren, Hugh H Genoways

Institutions: University of Kansas, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Language: English

Topic: History of Science and Natural History

Subfield: History and Philosophy of Science

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W3131122507

FWCI: 5.165

Cites: 10

Cited by: 8

Related to: 10