Preserved Collection (page 7)

Antarctic Discovery Collections
Specimens preserved in toxic formalin carry clear hazard labels to alert researchers. This batch forms a very small part of the extensive Antartic Discovery Collections

Mene maculata, moonfish
Specimen jar containing the curiously shaped moonfish (Mene maculata). This schooling, deep-water, marine fish is found throughout the Indo-Pacific region

Scientist at work adding alcohol to a specimen jar
An end to the effort of moving large volumes of spirit around the storerooms by hand, in the Darwin Centre alcohol is available at the workbench on tap

Zoological specimens
Specimen jars stored in the Darwin Centre, at the Natural History Museum, London. Assembled over hundreds of years, these specimens are still highly relevant to contemporary biological research

Tropidolaemus wagleri, green pit viper
Also known as the temple viper or Waglers pit viper. It is a tree dwelling snake found in South-east Asia. Specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London

Pomacanthus imperator, emperor angel fish

Mantella pulchra, frog
This small frog specimens tissues have been cleared and the skeleton stained with alizarin. Specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London

Notostomus perlatus, caridean shrimp
Specimen jars containing type specimens of the caridean shrimp (Notostomus perlatus). Type specimens provide a vital point of reference for taxonomists seeking to confirm an identification or

Copepod parasite
Specimen jar containing copepod parasites, which live on the body surface of salmon and in large numbers can cause damage to the fish. Specimens held at the Natural History Museum, London

Freshwater snails
Specimen jar containing some freshwater snails, held at the Natural History Museum, London

Zoological specimens in the Darwin Centre
Specimens in spirit jars stored in the Darwin Centre, at the Natural History Museum, London. Assembled over hundreds of years

Bulinus sp. snails
Specimen jar containing snails (Bulinus). These snails act as intermediate hosts for the parasite of the tropical disease bilharzia. Specimens held at the Natural History Museum, London

Preserved Fish

Specimen jars containing crustaceans
Shelves of specimen jars containg crustaceans

Thrip in amber
A thrip, a small to minute sucking insect seen here preserved in Dominican amber. Specimen dates from the Lower Miocene

Froghopper in amber
A froghopper is a type of spittlebug, seen here preserved in Baltic amber. Specimen originates from the Upper Eocene

Caddis fly in amber
Caddis fly, Trichoptera, a small moth-like insect preserved here in Baltic amber. Specimen dates from the Upper Eocene

Insect droppings in Dominican amber. Specimen dates from the Lower Miocene, about 20 million years ago. Fig. 65 from Amber the Natural Time Capsule

Moth fly in amber
Moth fly exquisitely preserved in Baltic amber. This specimen dates from the Upper Eocene

Earwig in amber
An earwig preserved in Dominican amber. Specimen dates from the Lower Miocene

Click beetle in amber
A click beetle preserved in Baltic amber. This specimen originates from the Upper Eocene period

Cricket in amber
Cricket preserved in Dominican amber. Specimen originates from the Lower Miocene

Angiosperm flower in amber
A flower trapped and preserved in Dominican amber. This specimen dates from the Lower Miocene period about 20 million years old

Braconid wasp in amber
A braconid wasp preserved in Baltic amber. This specimen dates from the Upper Eocene period

Hoverfly in amber
Hoverfly preserved in Baltic amber. This specimen dates from the Upper Eocene

Lacewing in amber
Lacewings from the order Neuroptera are gauzy-winged insects, and seen here preserved inside Baltic amber. Specimen dates from the Upper Eocene

Planthopper in amber
Planthopper preserved in Baltic amber. Specimen originates from the Upper Eocene

Damselfly wings in amber
A pair of overlapping Damsel fly wings preserved in Baltic amber. Dating from the Upper Eocene

Mite in baltic amber
A mite trapped in Baltic amber dating from the Upper Eocene period, about 35 million years ago

Wasp in amber
A digger wasp preserved in in Baltic amber. This specimen originates from the Upper Eocene and was donated by Arne Urup

Scale insect in amber
A scale insect preserved here in Baltic amber. These insects often secrete a protective, waxy covering. Specimen dates from the Upper Eocene

Midges in amber
Pair of copulating midges preserved in Baltic amber accompanied by two air bubbles. Specimen dates from the Upper Eocene

Bristletail in amber
A bristletail, Archaeognatha: Machilidae preserved in Baltic amber. Specimen originates from the Upper Eocene

Fly in amber

Caterpillar skin in Dominican amber
A shed caterpillar skin Lepidoptera, in Dominican amber. Specimen dates from the Lower Miocene. Page 66 Fig. 66 from Amber the Natural Time Capsule

Social wasp in amber
A social wasp preserved in Dominican amber. Specimen dates from the Lower Miocene. Donated by Cobra and Bellamy

Isle of Wight amber
Spider in Isle of Wight amber. Lower Cretaceous about 130 million years old. Borrowed from Museum of Isle of Wight Geology

Lizard specimen held in the Darwin Centre
Lizard specimen in a spirit jar held in the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, London

Specimens in spirit jars
A variety of zoological specimens in spirit jars held at the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, London

Moth preserved in Baltic amber
A moth preserved in Baltic amber dating from the Upper Eocene period, about 40 million years old

Nerodia sipedon, water snake
A group of North American water snakes neatly coiled to fit into a storage jar. Specimens held at the Natural History Museum, London

Squid specimen
Specimen jar containing squid, held in the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, London

Alytes obstetricans, midwife toad
This male midwife toad is carrying an egg string. Specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London

Oliver Crimmen with fish specimen
Photograph of Oliver Crimmen, a curator at the Natural History Museum, London. The specimen featured is a Cypselurus bahiensis, four winged flying fish from the North Atlantic

Cypselurus californicus, four-winged flyingfish
Specimen jar containing a four-winged flyingfish (Cypselurus californicus), held in the Darwin Centre at The Natural History Museum, London

Storage jars for spirit collection
Storage jars come in a huge variety of designs, reflecting changing styles over the years, as well as cost and availability

Iguana delicatissima, West Indian iguana
West Indian iguana in a specimen jar held at the Natural History Museum, London

Astroboa clavata, basketstar

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