Scalpels are found at scientific supply (hard to get them to sell you
scalpels though)try Edmund , punch Edmund scientific supply into your search
engine or try at a hobby supply , an exacto knife will cut just as well ,
the reason they don't use them is purely that they're not sterile, if you're
dissecting sterility is not a problem as long as you dip in boiling water to
remove any other elements from the blade. flat trays , try the above. you
should also try and find your microscope you'll need for proper research in
the classified adds of your local paper , buy used as it will cost 1/4 of
new. anesthetizing solution can be obtained from one of two sources, a pet
fish shop has this stuff that you can knock out fish with to perform minor
surgery. the other way is to figure a mild dose of poison. by the way some
animals you'll have to anesthetize before preserving as it sudden shock of
formalin will cause fragile shells to burst as the animal retracts. the
other benefit from this is you kill the animal in a relaxed condition not
all balled up inside the shell . hope this helps , ferreter
-----Original Message-----
From: Shireen Gonzaga <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Monday, September 21, 1998 4:02 PM
Subject: preserving mollusc tissue/body
 
 
>Hello,
>
>this subject has been discussed in the past... I've read
>the archive postings about it, and been confused by all the
>various replies. I'm not a biologist by training, so forgive
>me if the question sounds dumb.
>
>A bunch of us were at the Smithsonian Div of Molluscs
>last Saturday, and Raye Germon showed us the "alcohol" room.
>- All cephalopods are stored in 70% isopropyl alcohol.
>  This apparently keeps the tissue from becoming too hard so that
>  dissections can be performed, if needed.
>- shell molluscs are stored in 70% ethyl alcohol
>- Formalin is not used because it destroys the shell.
>
>OK, say for instance, that us collectors are asked to supply preserved
>specimens for scientists doing histological and genetic studies. How
>would we preserve the specimens? Formalin for the former, and ethyl
>alcohol for the latter? Or stay away from formalin completely?
>
>I realize there would be a distinction btwn. preserving specimens for
>long-term preservation (such as what's needed for museums like NMNH),
>and for preserving for scientists doing work on the specimens within
>months to a year of receiving them. Can someone explain to me the best
>choice of liquid for preservation in the case of "short-term" study?
>(By the way, I'm not just interested in this question for molluscs, but
>also for fish and crustaceans.)
>
>While I have your attention, does anyone have suggestions on where to get
>dissecting instruments (flat trays, scalpels, etc...)
>
>Thanks,
>        Shireen
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
>Shireen Gonzaga, Freelance Science Writer, Baltimore, MD.
>Telephone: 410-338-4412   E-mail: [log in to unmask]
>