composition and general decay, and also defending it from the ravages of insects for an indefinite period. Many things will partially cure a skin; for instance,

good a state of preservation as need be. Still we require other aids than sun and chalk to properly preserve our specimens, especially in our usu

will, however, give everyone a chance of doing exactly as he pleases by jotting down three different recipes for arsenical soaps. The inventor of the first of these appears to

coeur's Ars

hor,

tartar

d arsen

r (or powdere

soap

in a mortar with a little spirits of wine. When the whole is properly mixed together it will have the consistence of paste. It may be preserved in tin or earthenware pots, well closed and cautiously labelled. When wanted for use it must be diluted with a little cold water to the consistence of clear broth; the pot may be covered with

osition somewhat different from the

ainson's Ar

nic,

d water,

soap

or, 2

of potas

l with any kind of spirituous liquor, and with it make a lather from the soap, which is to be ap

and have found it quite equal to any of the other arsenic

owne's Arse

nic,

ed wate

soap,

powdered c

tincture of

om time to time water sufficient to render the whole mass of the consistence of gruel. When it boils up it is sufficiently well done; take it off the fire, and place outside in the open air to cool, as the fumes, if given off in a close room, are highly prejudicial to health. When nearly cold, stir

le essences of those drugs. The quantities given are sufficient to fill two six-pound Australian meat tins, which form capital receptacles for arsenical paste, and should be soldered up, only to be opened as required for use. As this quantity is, however, perhaps too much for the amateur,

s in defiance of the teachings of common sense, and in deference to the prevailing notion that arsenic is the only poison extant which has extraordinary preservative powers. This I flatly d

he skin is well painted with arsenical soap no moth or maggot will be found to touch it. This, then, is all is wanted - immunity from dec

e genus Tinea, or the larvae of Dermestes lardarius, murinus, and other museum beetles. They simply laugh arsenic to scorn; indeed, I believe, like the Styrian arsenic eaters, they fatten on it. I could give many instances. Of course, when you point out to a brother taxide

specimens actually reeking with arsenic, and giving it off when dry, and when handled, in the form of dust? Painted on the skin while wet is bad enough; but what shall we say to those - well, we will not use harsh terms - who calmly tell you that they always use dry arsenic. Incredible as the statement may appear to the scientist, yet it is true that I have seen a man plunge his hand in the most matter-of-fact way into a box containing dry arsenic, and coolly proceed to dust it on a skin. What is the

t to his numerous doctors, who worked, of course, in the dark, when

ain places, and preventing your pulling them about, as you must do if modelling; again, if used for fu

sesses the chief advantage claimed for it, why use camp

int out secundum artem the pros

ICAL

ages c

dvan

ryer of ani

especially those of mammal

s free from att

lightest use fo

nd use than any

ni

oisonous fu

allic arseni

nous dust when

tc.., which turn to bro

and as to its deterrent principle re insects, I am convinced that it is quite as good as the other, for is there any one thing known - compatible with clean-looking work - that will prevent the ravages of the maggots in birds' skins? I answer, No! - if we except one thing, too dangerous to handle - bichloride of mercury, of which an

ive formula

(Non poisonous) P

or chalk

e of li

soap,

e of mu

stir in the tincture of musk. This will about fill a 6 lb. Australian meat tin. Caution: It is not necessary to hold the mouth over the mixture while hot, as chlorine is then rapidly evolved. This mixture has stood the test of work and time,

her trade, but I have never seen anything to touch it before. I have quite given up arseni

ermists. I have been trying for a long time to make a non-poisonous unction, but never fairl

reserving skins, having tried Swainson's, and Bécoeur's, and yours, and after a twelv

t relax most perfectly after a lapse of years by any method, even by the water process spoken of hereafter. I do not think it any better or worse than the arsenical preparations for preventing the attacks of insects, but the addition of tincture of musk (a lasting perfume) has seemed to me to be

sh than usual, say, on the inside of the wings, or on the leg bones, or inside the mouth, a small quantity of carbolic acid wash (Formula No. 16) will be found useful to dilute the preservative paste.

t comical sight possible, a stuffed cock and hen entirely denuded of feathers by thousands of a minute tines, their dry skins only left; they were as parchment effigies of their former selves. Difficult as the matter is, I yet hope to show both amateurs and prof

's Solution of Co

; in twelve hours draw it off into a clean bottle, dip a black feather into the solut

h I will give below when speaking of the following recipe, which I have extracted from a little book professedl

ch should be labelled "Dangerous

ardner's P

nic,

hor,

e sublim

of wine,

soap,

omogeneous mass. This may then be poured into a wide-mouthed bottle and allowed to stand till quite cold, when it will be ready for use. Of course, th

into the hands at different times, as it must be, when handling, or returning skins painted with it, would not tend to lengthen the life of the learner? Corrosive sublimate being a mercurial preparation - i.e., bichloride of mercury - I ask any chemist amongst my readers

nt pretence of studying taxidermy. This, which I have culled from the pages of "Maunders' T

ock's Preserv

nic,

or, 0

alum

of musk

s' bar

s powder is more particularly adapted to fill up incisions made in the naked parts of quadrupeds and the skulls of lar

to it, that it may be labelled "Dangerous," and that anyone using it will do so at his peril. Fancy shaking arsenic up in a sieve, and afterwards dusting it in con amore! Really, if people will use poisons, and oth

e wings, and such like, of large birds, etc.., and in some cases even to prepare a skin for future stuffing, I will give a powder of my own composition, the chief point of merit of which consists in its being harmless t

wne's Preser

annin,

epper

hor,

alum

x, and keep in stoppere

his purpose the older taxidermists used a wash or powder, composed of equal parts of alum and nitre (saltpetre). This had the double disadvantage of rendering the specimen cured by its aid almost dripping with humidity

tituting, for the worse than useless crude alum, the alum ustum or burnt alum, which

reservative Powder

alum

tre, 0

d thorou

person using it, and beneficial even if it gets on the outside of the skin of the specimen; indeed, it should be rubbed in on the fur side if the specimen is at all "high" when brought in. In all cases it is a good plan to thoroughly rub the outside of the ears, eyelids, nose, an

ace around the eyes and mouth. Should this, however, happen from any cause, a sti

with Waterton's Solution (previously given) or the following, w

Preserva

e sublim

camphor (or

spirits, 1

y labelled "Poison," and when used is not to be

urposes of modelling their contour or muscles; it then becomes necessary to find some preparation which will keep large pieces of flesh sufficiently sweet and firm to model from.

porter (dissecting-room porter). The subjects are kept in a slate tank filled with the fluid. To show the efficiency of this fluid, I might mention that the first subject arrived much decomposed some months since, but is now quite fresh and sweet. The muscles inevitably lose a little of their colour in the preparation, wh

ct and have used some of the formulae which follow, viz., rectif

eserving large joints of meat and fish; and, indeed, the experiments conducted under scientific and Government su

s. Medlock and

e of lime

salt, 0

2 to

appears to be a very efficient formula; like all the rest of s

ng compound and method of its application, discovered by Wickersheimer, the Preparator of the Anatomical Museum o

heimer's Preservi

sa, and 10 of arsenious acid, let cool and filter. To every 10 litres of the filtrate add 4 litres of glycerine

objects must be impregnated with it. If the objects are to be preserved dry, they

h corpses. To preserve the outward appearance of the latter, they should be well impregnated externally and enclosed in air-tight oases; this is only necessary to preserve the exact original appearance; if it is not done, the body will keep equally well if thoroughly injected, but the exterior will gradually become somewhat dry and dark coloured. Plants may likewise be preserved by this liquid. [Footnote

bove, useful for comparison as to relati

imer's Preserving L

Inje

Imme

niou

g

g

m chl

g

g

ium su

gr

gr

um nitr

g

g

um carb

g

g

a

lit

lit

cer

li

li

nap

5 l

5 l

irably preserves delicate parts of animals. Having been enabled to give him some eyes of rare animals and fishes (whales and sharks)

OF OPHTHALM

which were exhibited in the annual museum of the Association in Cork last summer. I published an account of it in the Birmingham Medical Review for July, 1878; but, as

iestley Smit

e the solutions,

er's Flu

e of pota

of soda

100

chloral and

ne and wat

water, 1 in 2 - i

rine-jel

ch gelati

ine 6

r 6

ne in the water

and add th

saturated solution

rough white b

e by mixing oxide of zinc wi

in the weaker glycerine solution, and is then transferred for a similar period to the stronger glycerine solution, after which it may be mounted in the jelly without danger of shrinking. A specimen-jar being two-thirds filled with melted jelly, the half-eye is placed in it, the concavity upwards. When every interstice is filled, it is turned over (care being taken to avoid the inclusion of an air-bubble), and held in a central position in contact with the bottom of the jar. When cold and firmly coagulated, the jelly is coated over with white varnish. A few days later, when the surface of t

omposition to a remarkable degree. It

solution of saltpetre, i.e., 1 to 50, is state

ly removes the phosphates. Action of boracic acid would, no doubt, s

s sold in 0.5 lb. or 1 lb. bottles in a solid crystalline state, as if it were frozen. The bottle, with the stopper temporarily removed, must be plunged in boiling water to melt out as much as is required, to which must be added many times its weight or quantity of water. This diluted preparation will be found of infinite service in the hot summer months for pouring in the "gent

lic Wash, No.

arbolic a

or pure t

r, 1

e labelled "Poison," an

olic Wash, No.

arbolic a

r, 1

shake before using. Carbolic acid is a caustic

sects infesting, it may be, the entire collection of heads or skins hanging in some gentleman's hall. No b

lic Acid Wash,

ic aci

oniac,

e sublim

annin,

ter, 4

e mixture is cold plunge the heads or skins in, holding the former by the horns, and stirring the

anything which will preserve objects for an indefinite period it is corrosive sublimate. Deadly though it be, and dangerous to wor

ve used with much success as an exterior w

Preserva

huric eth

sublimat

evaporation than spirits of wine, but is very expensive. Of course, the more rapidly any spirit evaporates,

LUIDS FOR FISH

e preservation of fishes - and especially large one

n - and which also, if a foreign one,

ng great shrinking or shr

in a fit state--after many months - either to be treated as a spec

s and facility of carriage

re seem almost insuperable difficulties in t

only thing used for fishes, for permanent preservation in glass jars or tanks, and this even for ordinary fishes 3 ft. to 4 ft. in length, or even up to 6 ft. in length, if eel-like. "

ll then

Spirits of Wine (56

n

Proof Spir

(alcohol containing a certain percentage of impure gum or undrinkable wood spirit) as being cheap and suffici

hylated Spiri

r

coholic Solu

d spirit,

m (pounde

d water,

etre,

er, becomes milky at first, but will so

coholic Solu

d spirit,

ine, 1

d water,

e result that I have now some frogs (six or seven) in a glass jar containing benzoline which have been immersed for over three months, and have apparently undergone less change than if in spirits for the same length of time. Whether they are likely to be permanently preserved by this method

ce than the British Museum - added to which the strong spirit unquestionably shrivels and distorts such objects as fishes and reptiles, whilst, diluted to any appreciable extent, s

oadby's Sol

alt,

sublimat

m,

water, 2

red bottle lab

poration of sea-water in shallow lagoons or

oadby's Sol

alt,

sublimat

us acid

ain water

red bottle lab

be generally known that the addition of a saturated solution of sal ammoniac, in weight about half an ounce, is suffic

wne's Preserv

etre,

sublimat

m,

oniac,

ater, hal

red bottle lab

n, is a modification

issolved in a small quantity of spirits of some kind, or, as expl

lution for bottling

cury (corrosive s

dium (common s

d water,

when clear, decant and preserve in stoppere

ted Fluid for Pres

ent to saturate it; stir in a small quantity of best prepared chalk, and then filter. With this fluid mix an equa

be excellent as a preservative for fishes if not quite so much diluted

exceedingly well for small specimens to be subsequently

preserving parts of subjects, and useful as a pickle for fi

Moeller's

e of pota

e of so

d water,

lution possess in common is their colour - a rich golden one - which, of course, stains everything with which they come in conta

m I had occasion to overhaul the "pickles" and prepare some fresh specimens, and was very loth to use expensive spirits, or even methylated, for large fish, and therefore tried many things with varying results. At last I was driven back on Moeller's Solution, and by its aid saved some specimens

ved - they were tumbled into a large tub containing 2 lb. of bichromate of potassa to 20 galls. of spring water. This was on 13th Sept., 1882; I looked at them on 17th July, 1883, and they were perfectly fresh, quite limp, unshrivelled, and yet s

en used, the expense would have been many pounds, to say nothing of the great shrivelling which would have taken pl

E FLUIDS FO

ide of calcium, made by dissolving chalk, or the purer carbonate - white marble, - in hydro-chloric acid until effervescence ceases and a saturated solution is obtained, is most useful as a preservati

3 were prepared in this manner, and such objects as the sea-anemones, with ten

FOR S

tained spirit in such a manner as to be useless as a preventive of evaporation. Ordinary sealing wax, "bottle wax," beeswax, or paraffin wax, bei

hocolle" for S

on r

wax (or par

re (in

urpentin

he resin, then add the ochre in small quantities, and at each addition of this stir the whole briskly round. When the mixture has boiled seven or eight minutes, pour in the turpentine, stir it

oes not rise above the edge of the iron pot containing the composition; if this is attended to, not much dan

pplication of glue with great success on corks over spirits, by procuring the best glue, making it rather thin, and applying it whilst h

AL RE

specimens, especially if large and "flabby;" this, of course, reduces the strength of the preservative medium. It is well, therefore, to have from three to four different vessels, in which

results will be obtained, by the exercise of a little forethought and judgment. Filtration through blotting paper or ch

e fluid to properly penetrate. In cases where the specimen is not required for

te of potassa will instantly deodorise a large quantity of fluid, and this without adding to it any offensive scent of its own, as in the case of chloride of li

Cornish chough - an old specimen, infested with maggots or larvae of the "clothes" moth. I immediately plunged it in ben

r pristine freshness, and all the insects which previously infested it were effectually killed. I afterwards found on another specimen - a short-eared owl - two or three larvae feedin

added to which, is the remarkable cheapness of benzoline. Caution - do not use it near a candle, lamp, nor fire, as it gives off a highly inflammable vapour at a low temperatu

, which I placed in a "preparation" jar, filled with common benzoline at l s. per gallon. The bird was simply cut under the wing to allow the benzoline to penetrate, and was left for three weeks; at t

cts, I prefer it to benzoline, having now mastered the hitherto fatal objections to its use on birds' skins. For the

course, that the specimens should be plunged into, or have poured over them either benzoline or turpen

I do not find any opinion on atm

you think spirits of turpentine would be efficacious if allowed to eva

twelve months, and I thought of boring a hole in an obscure corner with b

turpentine will allow neither acarus nor any

tever, as I had caused gallons of turpentine, etc.., to be poured into large cases containing specimens without producing the smallest effect, unless it absolutely touched them, bu

ger to health, should the p

tal wards, etc.., but I cannot tell how anyone may burn sulphur in specimen cases without half choking himself, and probably setting on fire the fittings and spoiling the work altogether. It is also objectionable because it readily discharges certain colours from fabrics, flowers, and birds' feathers. My advice is, therefore, to pull to p

ct plagues; it cannot, however, be exposed openly, as its scent is overpowering and d

d of the petals of the Russian tansy (Pyrethrum roseum). This has certainly some principle contained in it not obvious to our senses. It is perfectly harmless to man, and to domestic animals, but on insects its action is entirely different. I cannot as yet discover

used it now for many years, and have never had cause to alter my opinion as to its efficacy. The best only must be procured, from some well-known wholesale house, price about 3s. per lb. That sold made up in small quantities is generally adulter

gulated, unless in an apparatus specially constructed; secondly, because heat sufficient to kill the larvae is also sufficient to crimp or twist some part of the plumage or render the skin, if

but as skins are usually dressed with arsenical soap, the fat, instead of being dried up, is beautifully conserved, ready to run out at the

lour paste, which is far better and more cleanly than gum or glue for sticking i

- Flou

eat flo

loves, 0.5 a

, 0.5

and boil for a few minutes in a saucepan. Turn out into a jam-pot, and when nearly cold stir in the essence of cloves; this latter gives an agreeable odour to the paste, is not poi

ittle powdered white sugar is stirred. Essence of cloves pre

paper or photographic wor

soluble in cold water, but as a paste shows up on

ls, or to fix shells, etc.., on tablets,

- Whit

ax, 1

r of Paris (bes

, 4 p

en possible) and u

as wanted. The great objection to this and to all the "coagulines" is th

d colourles

White Ceme

nth in powd

acacia) in p

tic acid, a

gums with a little of t

and white shellac dissolved in na

, colour does

- Brown

hellac,

f naphtha

ntaining hot water. Be careful of fire. The edges of bones or undersides of fos

ula No. 4, viz., my Preservative Soap for the inside of the skin, and a wash of benzoline or turpentine liberally applied from time to time - say twice a year - to t

substituted for benzoline or turpentine. I mention the expense, because only rectified spirits of wine, or pure sulphuric ether, will do for birds; the methylated spirit,

re (No. 9), followed by a wash of benzoline or turpentine tw

rmy, I at least point out the why and wherefore, as also an alternative course, showing at the same time the benefits and defects of b

leton of Per

ER POSITION OF T

tion: f

PEREGRINE FA

ER POSITION OF T

anat

per mandible; C

cal vert

. humerus); F,

nd J, metacarpal bones

mb"); K2 and K3 second or "index

ominata" ilium, ischiu

N, tibia;

arso-metarsus" (3,

oint; q, "heel," o

ig" toe), called in or

most) toe; S S ster