INSECT PESTS AND POISONING. 345 



Dry arsenic is more injurious. It sometimes poisons the 

 fingers of a careless operator, and if it is inhaled in the form of 

 dust the effect may be serious. A few persons are very sus- 

 ceptible to the effects of dry arsenic, others are not. If the 

 blood is in a healthy condition there is little to fear from it, 

 except through gross carelessness. I have used, all told, prob- 

 ably more than a hundred and fifty pounds of arsenic in various 

 forms, and never had an hour's illness in consequence, nor any- 

 thing more serious than a sore finger. 



Corrosive sublimate is much more powerful and more dan 

 gerous. It should never be used in the preparation of a skin 

 before it is mounted ; after mounting it may, with care, be used 

 quite safely. 



Strychnine is far too dangerous to be used by a taxidermist 

 save in poisoning animals he wishes to secure as scientific 

 specimens. 



