114 TAXIDERMY A1STD ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTING. 



colorless, dry, and mummified condition, hideous to the eye and 

 meaningless to the understanding 1 . By all means let us color 

 everything 1 that has color in life, though the heavens fall. As- 

 certain in some way what the color should be (this can often be 

 done by reference to books with colored plates), then paint ac- 

 cordingly. Paint with turpentine and oil, rather than with oil 

 alone, which leaves an unnatural gloss. You can tone down 

 any oil color, however, by stippling it with a stipple brush 

 dipped in a pan of dry color, or plaster Paris. The taxidermist 

 who can paint the exposed parts of his specimens accurately 

 and artistically has a very powerful advantage over all those 

 who can not. This subject will also receive special attention 

 elsewhere. 



GENERAL FINISH. In all work on specimens, cultivate a deli- 

 cate and artistic touch, and then leave its impress upon every- 

 thing you do. Do not leave a specimen looking as if a coal- 

 heaver had finished it. Work at it, and keep on working at it 

 until it is perfect ; and then go back to it the next day, and 

 work at it some more ! There is no inferno too deep or too hot 

 for a slovenly, slatternly taxidermist. The fault with such 

 workers usually lies not so much in their lack of .skill as in 

 their lack of patience and the dogged stick-to-itiveness that 

 conquers all difficulties, no matter whether they come singly, 

 in platoons, or by divisions. Delicacy is just as essential in 

 the production of good work as originality and strength. 



