THE OREGON NATURALIST. 
Os 
ios) 
brown, or cream lines is very beautiful and 
very rare, 
Picture-writings, cut into the surface of large 
boulders and cliffs, are frequently found in the 
Lynx Creek section, and show many strange 
figures of animals and men, 
A Full description of these would be beyond 
the limits of this article, but of the traces of 
pre-historic man I consider them by far the 
most interesting and valuable. 
SHARLOoT M. HALL. 
TAXIDERMY 
OR 
HOW TO SKIN, PRESERVE AND 
MOUNT BIRDS AND MAMMALS. 
It is absolutely necessary that he, who 
aspires to master the Art of Taxidermy should 
possess good judgement, perseverance, and 
unlimited patience. 
If he has not these requisites, better not 
commence, leave to those who have. Do not 
become a mere stuffer of birds, but strive to 
excel. It isan Art easily learned, and after 
having commenced, persevere! practice at every 
opportunity, and you will surprise yourself at 
the progress that will be made. 
The mechanical part is quite simple, easy 
and can be learned by any person, but the Art 
of making your work look life-like and natnral 
rests wholly with the operater, or, it may be 
called a born gift given to few, but there is no 
one who has been taught to use his faculties of 
observation correctly but may do good work. 
Again I repeat, persevere! keep at your 
specimen until the position suits, be thorough 
in detail. 
It is presumed the would be operator has 
secured his specimen not smaller than the 
robin, or larger than the dove,—and for tools, 
the main requisites are plaster of paris, other- 
wise called calcined plaster, cotton, excelsior, 
tow, needles, thread, annealed wire adapted 
to the size of bird to be mounted, a good knife, 
a pair of strung scissors are very handy, but 
can be dispensed with, a rule, note-book, pair 
of flat nosed pliers 6 in. long, a pair of cutting 
pliers,6 in. pair stuffers forceps, gin. flat file, 
putty or potters clay, glass eyes and arsenical 
soap. 
Some Taxidermists use powdered arsenic 
and powdered alum mixed in equal proportions 
by weight, which in some respects is better to 
use than arsenical soap. 
Soap may be purchased of any supply house, 
but to those who may prefer to make their own 
a receipt for same is given, as follows:— 
it 
White Soap, o!d and hard 
 ARSENICAL SOAP. 
I pound, 
White Arsenic Arsenzous Actd powd, 1 pound. 
Gum Camphor 
Carbonate of Potash (Sal Tartar) 
Alcohol 
Soft Water 
Carbolic Acid 
Mix. 
To properly mix the ingredients, shave the 
4 ounces. 
3 ounces. 
8 ounces- 
3¢-of a pint. 
I drachm. 
soap into fine shavings, and dissolve in the 
water over a slow fire, add the Sal tartar, then 
the Arsenic, stir well, and remove from the 
fire, then dd Carlolic Acid, and the Cam- 
phor dissoived in the Alcohol], and stir until 
cold. 
To those who do not care to make soap in 
so large quantity, the following receipt is given, 
being nearly identical with the former except 
reduced in quantity. 
To use nix a small quantity with water to 
the consistency of thick cream and apply with 
a some what stiff brush, 
RECEIRT FOR ARSENICAL SOAR. 
(Quantities reduced) 
White Soap, old and hard I Ounce. 
Powd. White Arsenic I ounce. 
Gum Camphor 2 drachms. 
Carbonate of Potash 1% drachms. 
Water I ounce. 
Carbolic Acid 
To mix follow directions given: 
5 grains. 
&@ Evtreme care must always be observed in 
using Arsenical preparations in any form, on 
ey 
To the beginner who does not care to use 
account of their very poisonous yroperties. 
poisons the following mixture will be found 
