578 A SOLUTION FOB PRESERVING LARGE VERTEBRATA, 



of the body supple. The body was not put in the liquor im- 

 mediately after death. The first afternoon I had only time to 

 take the brain out, the second day I removed the tractus 

 intestinalis, made the injections, and only after 48 hours was the 

 specimen put in the solution. The cold weather (16 and 17 Aug.) 

 aided by a free use of a wash of the "Wickerskeinier Fluid pre- 

 vented all signs of decomposition. But after remaining in my 

 solution for 10 or 14 days I observed that many parts of the body 

 were swollen. To assist the penetration of the preservative fluid 

 under the skin and prevent further decomposition, hundreds of 

 acupunctures were made, whereafter the swelling was soon 

 reduced. 



I kept the body two months in the solution and as I was 

 perfectly sure that the specimen was well preserved, I decided to 

 send it to Prof. Virchow, and hope that this consignment will 

 add a few facts to our knowledge of the Comparative Anatomy 

 of the Races of Mankind. 



After the specimen had been sent to Europe, I got a letter 

 from Prof. Virchow (dated 27th Nov., 1880) in which he tells me 

 that he himself did not believe that the Wickersheimer Fluid, 

 while excellent for a cold climate, was suitable for use in tropical 

 and subtropical regions ; he advises me, in preserving such 

 specimens as bodies of men : I to take the tractus intestinalis out 

 and to preserve it in alcohol. 2 to inject a solution of Chloride 

 of Zinc in the carotids and to put the brain in alcohol. 3, to 

 inject also Glycerine and Carbolic Acid in some of the principal 

 arteries, to keep the members movable. 4, to preserve the 

 body in salt. He does not believe that Corrosive sublimate is of 

 importance, but thinks, that Arsenic is good for preventing the 

 formation of Fungi. 



Dr. Hector whom I have seen lately in Melbourne has told me, 

 that common sea-water after it has been boiled and filtered is an 



