16 



enclosed in bags, however, a single number will suffice, unless some 

 particular reference is to be made to any one of them. All notes 

 of habits, etc., are to be made in the note-book; but the date, 

 locality, and sex should be marked in addition on the label of the 

 specimen. 



§ n. INSTRUMENTS, PRESERVATIVE MATERIALS, &c. 



1. IMPLEMENTS FOR SKINNING. 



The implements generally required in skinning vertebrated ani- 

 mals are: 1. A sharp knife or a scalpel. 2. A pair of sharp- 

 pointed scissors, and one with strong short blades. 3. Needles 

 and thread for sewing up the incisions in the skin. 4. A pair of 

 spring forceps, rather sharp pointed, for adjusting the skin and 

 feathers of birds, especially about the head, and for other purposes. 

 5. A pair of long forceps for introducing cotton into the neck of 

 animals, etc. 6. A hook by which to suspend the carcass of the 

 animal during the operation of skinning. To prepare the hook, 

 take a string, of from one to three feet in length, and fasten one 

 end of it to a stout fish-hook which has had the barb broken off. 

 By means of a loop at the other end, the string may be suspended 

 to a nail or awl, which, when the hook is inserted into the body of 

 an animal, will give free use of both hands in the operation of 

 skinning. 



2. PRESERVATIVES. 



The best material for the preservation of skins of animals con- 

 sists of powdered arsenious acid, or the common arsenic of the 

 shops. This may be used in two ways, either applied in dry pow- 

 der to the moist skin, or still better mixed with alcohol or water 

 to the consistency of molasses, and put on with a brush. Some 

 camphor may be added to the alcoholic solution, and a little strych- 

 nine will undoubtedly increase its efficacy. There are no satisfac- 

 tory substitutes for arsenic ; but, in its entire absence, corrosive 

 sublimate, camphor, alum, &c., may be employed. Many persons 

 prefer the arsenical soap to the pure arsenic. This is composed 

 of the following ingredients: arsenic 1 oz.; white soap 1 oz.; car- 

 bonate of potash 1 drachm; water 6 drachms; camphor 2 drachms. 

 Cut the soap into thin slices, and melt over a slow fire with the 

 water, stirring it continually: when dissolved, remove from the fire 



