CHAPTER II. 



PRESERVATIVES, POISONS AND COMPOUNDS USED IN TAXIDERMY; 



THEIR PREPARATION AND THEIR GENERAL USES IN THE ART ; 



TOGETHER WITH OTHER INFORMATION OF VALUE. 



Arsenical Solution and Arsenical Paste. — 



Crystallized Arsenic - - - 1 pound. 



Bicarbonate of Soda - - - - ^J pound. 



Place these two ingredients in a vessel containing five pints of 

 water and boil the whole down to three pints, or until the arsenic and 

 soda have disappeared, stirring frequently to keep thein from settling to 

 the bottom. Crush the large pieces of arsenic in order that they may 

 more quickly dissolve. When cold it is ready for use. Put the liquid 

 in a large bottle, properly labeled, " Poison." When a quantity 

 of this solution is mixed with common whiting to the consistency 

 of cream it is ready to be applied to the inside of skins with a brush, 

 and is called Arsenical Paste. For the purpose of mixing the solution 

 and whiting take a wide-mouthed bottle or a shallow dish and keep a 

 large and a small brush in it for use on the various sizes of skins. 

 Other uses of the clear solution alone will be treated presently in this 

 chapter. The beauties of the Arsenical Paste are, that it is quickly and 

 easily made, is cheap, makes a most substantial coating and its poison- 

 ous effect on skins is equal to anything of the kind made, not excepting 

 the time-tried Arsenical Soap which many m.ay still prefer to use. 



Arsenical Soap. — 



Wliite soap, - - - - 2 pounds. 



Powdered arsenic, • - - 2 pounds. 



Camphor, - ... 5 ounces. 



Sub. carbonate of potash, - - C ounces. 



Alcohol, . - . - s ounces. 



Directions. — Slice the soap and melt it in a small quantity of 

 water over a slow fire, stirring it sufficiently to prevent its burning. 

 When melted, add the potash and lime, and boil until it becomes 

 quite thick. Now stir in the powdered arsenic, after which add the 

 camphor, previously dissolved in the alcohol. W'hen the mass has 



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