310 MUSEUMS. 
upon a specimen, to render the novice an adept in 
this new mode of preserving quadrupeds for cabinets 
of natural history. But, as I have neither leisure 
nor inclination to assemble pupils around me, I 
must request him who approves of the plan to be 
satisfied with the outline which I have just given 
him. I have no doubt but that his own abilities 
and industry will eventually crown his efforts with 
success. 
Upon this new principle I have prepared the 
large ant-bear, a land tortoise, an armadillo, a dog’s 
head (now in the possession of the Duke of North- 
umberland), a hedgehog, a polecat, and the non- 
descript. 
These specimens will be amply sufficient to prove 
that animals with a rough coat of hair, others 
with a smooth one, others with a shell, others 
with a scaly armour, others with a soft fur, and 
others, in fine, with a skin studded over with spikes, 
can have their form and features restored ; and that 
the skin, prepared after the manner which I have 
described, will always retain its shape and brilliancy, 
and be quite free from the ravages of the moth, or 
from any detriment by being exposed to damp. 
Museums ought to be encouraged by every means 
possible. The buildings themselves are, in general, 
an ornament to the towns in which they have been 
built ; whilst the zoological specimens which they 
contain, although prepared upon wrong principles, 
are, nevertheless, of great interest ; since they afford 
to thousands, who have not the means of leaving 
their own country, a frequent opportunity of seeing 
So ~~ 
