40 



METHODS IN THE ART OF TAXIDERMY. 



A strong salt and water bath is commonly used in which to im- 

 merse very large alligators, turtles and other reptiles of extraordinary 

 proportions, immediately after skinning. The length of time they 

 should remain in this solution is twenty-four hours or more, according 

 to the condition of the subject. 



Upon being taken from this bath the entire inside of the skin, 

 bones and all, should be heavily coated with the arsenical paste or 

 arsenical soap and, lastly, with powdered alum. 



Salt alone is used by many collectors in the field for curing skins 

 of mammals until the salt and alum bath in some taxidermist's shop 

 or that of their own can be reached. When salt is used alone on the 

 skins of mammals they should have plenty of it rubbed and spread 

 upon them, especially in warm weather. In damp climates, however, 

 powdered alum will be found by far the best, and in either case skins 

 should be, by all means dried in the shade, never in the sun. 



A mixture of two-thirds powdered alum and one-third arsenic 

 thoroughly rubbed on skins of mammals and birds is for the purpose 

 of curing them, and also for poisoning them against the attacks of in- 

 sects. It is used chiefly when the specimens are to be made up into 

 dry skins. George Graves, F. L. S., recommends this preparation in 

 his Naturalists' Pocket-book., published in 1818, and it has been in vogue 

 ever since. Some take the double precaution and give the skins a 

 heavy coating of arsenical paste or arsenical soap, and supplement it 

 by rubbing on equal parts of salt and alum. The use of salt and alum 

 in taxidermy, however, reaches its climax in the 



Salt and Alum Bath. — No taxidermist can do any considerable 

 work in quadrupeds without using this important preservative, and, 

 since it is so cheap, simple and convenient, none should be without a 

 thorough knowledge of how to prepare and handle it. 



My formula for making the salt and alum solution is as follows : 

 For every gallon of water put in two ounces of alum and six ounces 

 of salt; boil until the salt and alum have dissolved, stirring frequently 

 during the process. When cool or lukewarm test it with your salinom- 

 eter. It will probably register lo°, which is <?.r^r//j/ right ; at a less 

 degree of strength you are liable to ruin the skin, for the hair is likely 

 to slip off; if stronger it will harden the skin too much. You can now 

 put this solution into your glass or earthen jars or lead-lined tank, 

 described in the last chapter. 



The taxidermists' salinometer can be procured for one dollar, pre- 

 paid, from the R. Hoehn Co., 44 College Place, New York City. This 

 is the ideal salinometer, seven inches long, and you can make up 



