13 



will be of value, especially should the species be rare. A 

 sketch of the relative position of the blow-hole, hump (where 

 it exists) and of the flippers is desirable in the case of rare 

 specimens of the whale and dolphin kinds. 



Professor Owen, speaking of the National Museum in a little 

 work lately published by him,* draws special attention to the 

 large marine mammalia, the whales and seals, and strongly 

 urges the securing of specimens, as their rapidly decreasing 

 numbers and more restricted range, owing to the eagerness 

 with which they are pursued and destroyed for commercial 

 purposes, point to their speedy extermination. One of the 

 chief objects of his book is to secure ample space in the 

 British Museum for the proper display of the skins and 

 skeletons of these creatures, not only on behalf of the public, 

 but for " the special student of this least known and most 

 difficult branch of mammalogy." 



Land animals of great rarity and interest, such as the gorilla 

 of South West Africa, and the orangs of Borneo and Sumatra, 

 may be lest preserved as follows : Lose no time in taking off 

 the skin ; let this be done very carefully. Leave no bones at all 

 in the skin, nor any flesh. Immerse the skin at once in the 

 strongest spirit that can be procured, taking care that it gets 

 well between every fold, and that no part is exposed to the air. 

 To ensure full contact of every part with the spirit, lift up the 

 skin occasionally. If possible, after a day or two, draw off 

 the old spirit, and supply its place with new. Absorption into 

 the skin is so great, and evaporation, in such hot climates as 

 these animals are found in, is so rapid, that unless the 

 spirit be renewed, the preservation may not be thoroughly 

 effected. Let the barrel be proportioned to the bulk of 

 the skin, tie the skin in canvas to prevent chafing against 

 the staves ; put in as much grass or other light material 



* " On the Extent and Aims of a National Museum of Natural History, by 

 Professor Owen. London : Saunders, Otley, and Co. 1862." 8vo. Price 6s. 



