PREPARING SKELETONS. 73 



with a fine needle; the glutinous matter contained in the 

 plants will cause them to adhere so firmly to the paper 

 when dried and pressed as to look like a very fine engrav- 

 ing or painting. When a collection of these are executed 

 by a skilful and artistic hand, and bound in a book, they 

 form a beautiful and interesting volume.* 



SECTIO^ II. Preparing Skeletons. I will give the meth- 

 ods by which bones may be cleaned. To clean the bones 

 of large animals, first take off as much of the flesh as is 

 possible with a knife ; then put them in slatted boxes, and 

 place the boxes in a running stream, or between tide-marks 

 on the sea-shore. The boxes, being open, will allow the 

 entrance of Shrimp*, other aquatic animals, and insects, 

 who will devour the meat, while the water, having free 

 passage through, will perform its part. When well cleaned, 

 wash them in warm soap-suds, and, after rinsing, dry in 

 the sun and air; this will tend to bleach them. 



The bones of smaller animals may also be cleansed in 

 this manner ; but the better way is either to boil them until 

 the flesh comes off easily, or to put them into water that 

 has been impregnated with chloride of lime ; in both cases 

 the bones will have to be cleaned afterwards with a knife 

 and a stiff brush ; they should be scraped as little as 

 possible. If kept in a dry place, exposed to the action 

 of the air, the bones will bleach constantly. 



Mounting Skeletons. To mount the skeleton of a bird, 

 place a wire through the hole occupied by the spinal cord, 

 and fasten it in the skull ; this will hold the vertebra of 



* As there is not a general interest manifested in the objects alluded to 

 in this section, I have given but few directions for collecting and preserv- 

 ing them, but such as will, perhaps, satisfy the general collector. Those 

 who are particularly interested in thorn will find in the pages of the vari- 

 ous numbers of the ''American Naturalist" more particular directions for 

 collecting and preserving each branch of this truly interesting class of 

 animals, written by the most competent and well-informed men in our 

 country 



4 



