PREPARING SKELETONS. 73 



with a fine needle ; the glutinous matter contained in the 

 plants will cause them to adhere so firmly to the paper 

 when dried and pressed as to look like a very fine engrav- 

 ing or painting. When a collection of these are executed 

 by a skilful and artistic hand, and bound in a book, they 

 form a beautiful and interesting volume.* 



SECTION II. Preparing Skeletons. - - 1 will give the meth- 

 ods by which bones may be cleaned. To clean the bones 

 of large animals, first take off as much of the flesh as is. 

 possible with a knife ; then put them in slatted boxes, and 

 place the boxes in a running stream, or between tide-marks 

 on the sea-shore. The boxes, being open, will allow the 

 entrance of Shrimps, other aquatic animals, and insects, 

 who will devour the meat, while the water, having free 

 passage through, will perform its part. When well cleaned, 

 wash them in warm soap-suds, and, after rinsing, dry in 

 the sun and air ; this will tend to bleach them. 



The bones of smaller animals may also be cleansed in 

 this manner ; but the better way is either to boil them until 

 the flesh comes off easily, or to put them into water that 

 has been impregnated with chloride of lime ; in both cases- 

 the bones will have to be cleaned afterwards with a knife 

 and a stiff 1 brush ; they should be scraped as little as 

 possible. If kept in a dry place, exposed to the action 

 of the air, the bones will bleach constantly. 



Mounting Skeletons. - - To mount the skeleton of a bird, 

 place a wire through the hole occupied by the spinal cord, 

 and fasten it in the skull; this will hold the vertebra of 



* As there is not a general interest manifested in the objects alluded to 

 in this section, I have given but few directions for collecting and preserv- 

 ing them, but such as will, perhaps, satisfy the general collector. Those 

 who are particularly interested in them will find in the pages of the vari- 

 ous numbers of the "American Naturalist" more particular directions for 

 collecting and preserving each branch of this truly interesting class of 

 animals, written by the most competent and well-informed men in our 

 country 



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