54>6 Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 



does not permanently preserve animal substances, although it pre- 

 vents, for the moment, a putrid fermentation. 



He alludes to his former communication, explaining how the salts 

 of alumina act on the gelatine and preserve the animal matter from 

 putrid fermentation by the combination of the two substances. The 

 gelatine is thus rendered incapable of putrefaction ; but the other evil, 

 viz. the destruction by insects, is not avoided. For the latter object 

 he proposes the following preparation : — 



1 kilogramme of sulphate of alum — 1 kilog. = 21 lbs. avoird. ; 



100 grammes of nux vomica in powder — 100 grammes = 3-| 

 oz. av. ; 



And 3 litres of water — 3 litres = 5£ imperial pints. 



The above to be boiled down to 1\ litres, and then allowed to 

 cool : the clear liquid is to be drawn off and serves for injection. The 

 residue is employed in the following manner. With four tablespoons- 

 ful of this residue mix the yolk of one egg ; let this paste be prepared 

 as wanted. It is to be used for covering the interior of the skin, and 

 particularly the fleshy parts which may have been left in skinning 

 the animal. The yolk of egg serves to preserve the suppleness of 

 the skin, tanned by the salts of alum. 



In order to preserve the feathers of birds he proposes three 

 modes : — 



1 . The employment of nux vomica in powder. 



2. An alcoholic tincture of 100 grammes of nux vomica, mace- 

 rated in 1 litre of alcohol. 



3. An alcoholic solution of 2 grammes of strychnine in 1 litre of 

 alcohol. 



Whatever mode may have been used for preserving the animal, 

 the ravages of insects may be instantly arrested by covering with a 

 soft brush the whole of the skin, either with the tincture or solution 

 above described, as may be found best adapted. 



If the feathers of birds are of delicate colour, the solution of 

 strychnine should be employed ; and for those very delicate birds, 

 where soaking in either of the preparations is not possible, the nux 

 vomica must be used in powder, taking care to insert it well in the 

 napes of feathers. In all cases the inside of the skin may be rubbed 

 with the paste. 



In conclusion he states that from his experience he feels assured — 



That no arsenical preparation can ensure the preservation of ani- 

 mal substances ; 



That they are destroyed by exposure to the air for a period ex- 

 ceeding three years ; 



That those substances enclosed in hermetically sealed cases are 

 destroyed even in one year ; 



That the soluble salts of alumina are quite effective in arresting 

 putrid fermentation ; and 



That the employment of the preparation of nux vomica, as de- 

 scribed, perfectly preserves animal substances from the attacks of 

 insects. — From the Proceedings of the Zool. Soc. Nov. 28th, 1843. 



