^6 THE OOLOGIST. 



Ten plates contain accurate attitudes of Elk, Deer, Bear, Lion, Wild Cat, 

 Muskrat, Beaver, Fox, Weasel, Ferret, Moles, Shrews, etc., etc. The entire 

 nniscular system of quadrupeds is illustrated in two figures, together witii three 

 others showing the proper formation and modeling of the head, nostrils and lips 

 of animals with clay. All the instruments used in Taxidermy are illustrated. 



The text for this work is simple, clear and concise, conforming and refering 

 to the plates throughout. It consists of the skinning antl mounting of liirds, 

 variations in the skinning and mounting of birds, making scientific skins, the 

 best method of softening -or relaxing skins and the time required in eacli case; 

 mounting birds with the wings spread; new method of mounting long-necked 

 Inrds; the manipulation of the dry skins of Mammals and all pertaining to the 

 mounting of their skins fresh or dry; modeling in clay, etc., etc., No theoreti- 

 cal methods or illustrations are offered in the work — simply those tiiat have been 

 ol)tained by actual experience. Besides the regular text a concise description 

 will face each plate which will enable immediate reference when all the details 

 are not desired. It has already been said by those who have examined the illus- 

 trations that they are so complete in their exposition of the art of Taxidermy 

 that there is really little need of text matter. Our design from the begining lias 

 been to make this a grand work, superior to anything that has yet appeared in 

 the literature of Taxiilermy. Nothing like it has appeared in any language or in 

 any country, the qiiality of the illustrations being of the highest order, delineat- 

 ing as they do, everytiiing that has long been desired in the Art. 



PLAN OF PUBLICATION. 



Knowing that there is a great demand for a thorough work on Taxidermy at 

 a lower price than was our first intention to publisii, I liave decided to reduce 

 tlie size of the illustrations from that in the originals, printing them on plate 

 paper 7 x 10 inches, thus making a work of royal octavo size. The engravings 

 will be executed in the finest style and the work will l)e printed for me l)y one 

 of the best publishing hoas(>s in New York City, and I am assured that as ;in ex- 

 ample of book making it will be one of the best, and will be known as Editiun dc 

 luxe. It will be tastefidly Ijound in cloth, gilt uncut edges and gilt top. 



Provided I can secure 500 />07i'/./zV/t' subscribers at $5.00 per copy, the work 

 will appear complete in one royal octavo volume in September, 1800. 



Considering the expense already incurred in securing the illustrations and 

 the immediate outlay in producing the book I feel confitlent that no publisher 

 would undertake the work without yielding him at least douide the amount per 

 i'opy of the prit-e asked. 



As the work has been purely a labor of love with me I feel sui'e that it will 

 agreeably surprise m,y sul)scribers, l)ut under no consideration will the book be 

 published in the form herein stated unless the; rWO subscribers can be assured. _ 



I would not, however have it understood that the information contained in 

 this work is all my own. My eighteen years experience as a Taxidermist is 

 l)acked by that of Dr. Jasper who has practiced the art of Taxidermy in France, 

 Germany and in this country for more than fifty years. He is thoroughl}' con- 

 versant with the best methods employed in the modeling and l)uildiiig up of the 

 structures of Mammals and in every detail in tht; entire art, possessing at the 

 same time an extraordinary ability for depicting these subjects with pen and 

 brush, while his mounted specimens fairly rival some of the examples in the 

 higher plastic arts. 



I have selected for the title of the work, "Methods in the Ai-t of Taxi- 

 dermy." 



Within thirty days from the delivery of the complete volume, subscribers 

 will receive at least two proof illustrations and a printed "Contents" of the 

 work. I trust that you will send at once for a subscription ])lank, which I hope 

 you will, after due consideration, sign and return to me so that I may know as 

 soon as possible the results of this proposition. A prompt reply will also caus*^ 

 no delay in the mechanical execution of the work. 



Very truly, 



OLIVER DAVIE, 

 214 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio. 



