shavings; a few needles, a reel of cotton, and an 
assortment of well-seasoned blocks and branches on 
which to mount the specimens. 
Other articles might be added, but when the > 
novice possesses himself of the above, he has prac- 
tically a complete outfit. 
The Plaster of Paris is used to absorb the 
blood and other matter issuing from the flesh, and 
it should be used during the whole process of skin- 
ning. A good method of applying it is to place it 
in a canister with a perforated lid, which may be 
used after the manner of a pepper-pot, the flesh 
being sprinkled with the contents, wherever the 
feathers have a tendency to stick. A small jar filled . 
with the absorbent is also useful for dipping the 
fingers i in while skinning. 
With regard to preservatives, many Taxider- 
mists have their own recipes, but the old-fashioned 
one (or a modification of it) still used by many 
workers is that invented by Becoeur in 1770, which 
is prepared in the following manner: Take 
White soap, 2lbs. 
White arsenic, 2lbs. 
Camphor, 502s. 
Chalk, 4ozs. 
Salts of Tartar, 20zs. 
Reduce the camphor to a powder in a little spirits of 
wine. Then shred the soap into an old saucepan, 
add just sufficient water to dissolve it, and stir over 
a slow fire until nicely dissolved. Add the chalk 
and salts of tartar (still stirring), and when 
18 
