MANUAL OF NATURAL HISTORY. 637 



the inner surface will answer the purpose. A strong 

 infusion of catechu is also very good. The skin 

 should be spread out and hung up to dry, and when 

 that has been properly effected, it may be rolled up 

 and put away for transport ; but if that is not done 

 at the time, a careful examination should be made 

 before it is finally packed up, to ascertain if it has 

 been attacked by insects, in which case the injured 

 parts must be washed with the solution of corrosive- 

 sublimate, or with turpentine. 



When, from want of means, an animal cannot be 

 preserved, or, from its peculiar nature, its proper hue 

 cannot be retained, which latter always happens 

 with the Cetacea, an accurate drawing ought, if pos- 

 sible, to be made of it in its fresh state. 



In skinning Bats it is not necessary, except in 

 large species, to strip any part of the arms or legs. 

 After skinning one of these animals, when the skin 

 has been properly distended, the wings should be 

 stretched out on a board with pins, and left to dry 

 expanded ; this is much better than allowing them 

 to dry folded, as the specimens pack equally well, 

 and the necessity is obviated of softening them be- 

 fore they are finally set up. 



Birds. The peculiar clothing of this class renders 

 it of the highest importance that every precaution 

 should be taken to prevent its being soiled, or its 

 delicacy injured, both when procuring and when 

 preserving the specimens. 



A double-barrelled gun will prove extremely ser- 

 viceable, and, if requisite, the barrels may be loaded 



