METHODS IN THE ART OF TAXIDERMY. 39 



The "Wickesheimer Solution. — Tliis is a solution in which fleshy 

 objects may be preserved entire. 



The formula is as follows : 



Ahmi .... .")i!i) jrniiiis. 



■Sail ----- lilo grains. 



Saltpetre - - - - (K) grains. 



Potash ----- 300 grains. 

 Arsenic trloxide (white arsenic) - - 100 grains. 



The whole should be dissolved in one quart of boiling water and 

 then allowed to cool, when it should be filtered. For every quart of 

 this solution add four quarts of glycerine and one quart of alcohol. In 

 this preparation objects may be preserved indefinitely. 



Solution for Keeping Bird Skins Soft. — The taxidermists and field 

 collectors in general are indebted to Mr. Thomas M. Earl, for the dis- 

 covery of this invaluable solution. It is simply an expedient. The 

 object of the preparation being to preserve a bird skin in a soft condi- 

 tion for at least four to five months, so that it may be mounted at any ^ 

 time to suit the convenience of the collector or taxidermist. It is 

 composed of two-thirds glycerine and one-third pure carbolic acid. 

 When collecting in the field in any quarter of the globe, and es- 

 pecially in distant tropical jungles, where heat and time count, 

 where packing space is not the least of the many vexatious ques- 

 tions that arise, this simple solution will lighten the burden of any 

 man's mind as well as his cargo. 



After having skinned your bird as usual, apply the arsenical solu- 

 tion with a bru.sh all over the inside of the skin. After this apply with 

 a soft brush the glycerine and carbolic acid. Do not be afraid to put 

 plenty of it on the skin. See that the wing and leg bones, the base of 

 the tail, the entire neck and around the base of the skull are thoroughly 

 saturated. When this is done the skin is ready to be packed flat. 

 In this manner a vast number of skins can be packed in a small com- 

 pass. It is absolutely necessary to clean all fat and grease from skins, 

 so that the solution may have free action. On large skins it is neces- 

 sary to repeat the application in about four months if it is desirable to 

 keep them soft for a longer time. When you come to mount a skin 

 prepared in this way, the feet which have, of course, become hard, 

 must be relaxed or softened in the same way as described in the chap- 

 ter on relaxing bird skins, and after they have become sufficiently soft 

 proceed in the regular manner of mounting. 



Salt and Alum. — Two of the most important ingredients known 

 for the preservation or curing of skins in taxidermy, and they are used 

 in various wavs. 



