14 



as will prevent all shaking, and Jill the barrel with spirit to 

 the lung* 



The bones of such animals as the above are too valuable to 

 be left behind. The entire carcase, without separating from 

 it a single bone, may be exposed to ants, or other insect 

 cleansers, if properly secured against more powerful depre- 

 dators ; and when partly eaten by these little creatures, and 

 partly dried by the sun, a semi-mummy, it may be packed in 

 a suitable box, until its arrival at home. This was done with 

 the entire skeleton of the gorilla referred to below, and not a 

 bone was lost or misplaced. The least possible amount of 

 labour suffices for this method of preserving a skeleton. 



Animals may be preserved bodily in spirit, without any 

 further trouble than making a small incision in the skin of the 

 abdomen to allow the spirit access to the intestines care being 

 taken that the intestines themselves are not cut ; that the spirit 

 be strong ; and also that it be, if possible, changed within a 

 short time for fresh spirit. The only limit to the size of the 

 animals thus treated is the quantity of spirit that can be 

 afforded. It is by far the best plan for all small mammalia, 

 such as bats, moles, mice, &c., and really involves very little 

 trouble. 



For those who may have opportunities of procuring qua- 

 drupeds, and desire to preserve their skins for stuffing, the 

 following directions may be serviceable, though an hour's 

 practical instruction would give a clearer notion of the process 

 than can possibly be obtained without it. 



To prepare and preserve Skins of Mammalia. 



The animal to be skinned should be placed on its back, and 

 an incision made down the middle of the abdomen, care being 



* In this manner, a skin of a large gorilla, also in the Liverpool Museum, has 

 been received in a condition leaving nothing to be desired, far surpassing any 

 that have been previously imported. If spirit be not available, salt will be the 

 best substitute. 



