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[Page 1]
Jan 1817
Instructions for the Collection of objects of Natural history
The first principle necessary to be inculcated in the minds of all persons who are employed on board a Kings Ship or any other Royal Expedition is a strict & unconditional obedience to the commander of the vessel. No-one can be admitted with the Service of the Admiralty unless they submit themselves to the discipline of the navy which enables the Commander in all cases to enforce obedience when it is not voluntarily given.
As Collector of Natural history to the voyage your employment will be very extensive. The sea over which you will pass will afford abundance of the class of Mollusc & possibly other things. These you will fish for in all such ways as appear most likely to succeed, chiefly by a dipping net which may be used from the chains to pick up anything that floats along side. The Mollusca you meet with must be preserved in spirit & stored as well as all other collections made in the voyage be sent home by the first opportunity that offers
On your arrival at the [indecipherable] your business will become laborious. The waters will abound with unknown fishes, shells and crustacea. The shores with insects & reptiles, the woods with birds & beasts & the Earth with amphibia or lizards Terapins etc in short a whole Creation will be before you, the greater part of which will be new
Your utmost industry must then be exerted when on shore you must collect & when on board preserve all things that you deem the most interesting & curious you are furnished with bottles for spirit which the smaller specimens may be preserved. These may be kept distinct from each other by sewing