Specimen collecting device

A specimen collecting and transporting device comprising a longitudinally extending sleeve container member including a removable cap for selectively closing and opening one end of said container member, a swab in said container member including a rod connected adjacent one end thereof to said cap, and an absorbent tip connected to the opposite end of said rod, the opposite end of said container member having an opening therethrough, and seal piercing means extending from said container member opposite end, fluid flow metering means covering said opening and being in contact with said absorbent tip, a reservoir member having a sleeve receiving an opposite end portion of said container member in longitudinal slidable relation therewith, a reservoir chamber having a closed bottom end, an upper open end, a seal closing said upper open end of said chamber, and a liquid culture-sustaining medium in said chamber, and means including abutment means on one of said members engagable with the other of said members for locating said container member in a position relative to said reservoir member wherein said piercing means is above said seal, said container and reservoir members being relatively slidable to move said piercing means through said seal and connect said opening and absorbent pad in fluid communication with said medium and thereby wet said absorbent tip.