PRESERVING EGG-SHELLS. 65 



ON THE PRESERVATION OF EGG-SHELLS 

 FOR CABINETS OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



" Si sumas ovum, mollc sit, atque novum." Schola Salernitana. 



I HAVE been blundering at this work for some 

 years ; " seeking for something I could not find," and 

 always dissatisfied with myself on account of the fail- 

 ure. The object of my search was, to try to find out 

 how I could properly dispose of the thin white mem- 

 brane next the shell of the egg. When left in, it is 

 apt to corrupt ; in which case, the colour of the 

 shell will sometimes fade, and an offensive smell is 

 produced, which a lapse of years will not subdue. 

 Last spring I thought I had succeeded; but it 

 turned out to be a very partial success. I, first, 

 by blowing, discharged the contents of five swan's 

 eggs, and then immersed the shells in a tub of water 

 for a month. This enabled me to pull out the thin 

 membrane, by means of a piece of wire bent at the 

 end. But I found that the colour of the shell had 

 faded considerably. Moreover, the process required 

 too much time ; and I saw that there would be great 

 difficulty in doing small eggs. 



About three weeks ago, a bright thought (a rara 

 avis with me) struck me, just as I was in the act of 

 climbing up to a hawk's nest. I felt certain that 

 every difficulty had vanished, and I began to blame 

 myself on the score of former dulness. 



In selecting eggs for your cabinet, always choose 

 those which are newly laid. Make a moderately 

 sized hole at the sharp end, with a pointed instru- 

 ment proportioned to the egg. Thus for a swan's 



