44 



OF MOUNTING DRIED SKINS. 



METHOD OF MOUNTING DRIED SKINS. 



Having treated of all the different modes, which we know 

 can be successfully practised, in stuffing recent specimens, we 

 must now say something respecting the setting up of skins 

 which have been preserved by travellers, and sent home from 

 distant parts. 



The general method is exactly the same as in stuffing recent 

 specimens. There are, however, some preliminary steps, which 

 it is necessary to know. 



If the specimen sent home has been partially stuffed, our 

 first business is to undo the stitches, if it has been sewed 

 which was an unnecessary process. We then remove the whole 

 cotton or tow from the inside, by the assistance of forceps, and 

 from the neck with a small piece of wire, twisted or hooked at 

 the end. Having finished this, small balls of wet cotton are 

 placed in the orbits of the eyes, and the legs and feet are 

 wrapped round with wet cotton or linen rags. A damp cloth is 

 then thrown over the bird, and it is allowed to remain in this 

 state till next day. The neck and body are then filled with 

 wet linen or cotton, and it will be ready for commencing setting 

 up in four or five hours. 



The eyes are now put in, as directed in the recent subjects, 

 and then stuffed in exactly the same manner. Some difficulty 

 will, however be experienced with respect to the leg-wires, and 

 it will require more time and care, from the dryness of the legs, 

 to get the wire to penetrate. Having proceeded so far as to 

 get the bird generally formed, the wings are next adjusted : 

 this also is frequently difficult, owing to the stiffness of the 

 tendons, and want of proper attention in skinning and drying 

 them at first. Indeed with some of the South American birds, 

 a proper adjustment of the wings is found impracticable, owing 

 to the attempts of the native Indians of Guyana, who seldom 

 dispose them properly. There is something extremely curious 

 in the efibrts of man in a savage state. Whether this arises 

 from want of observation, or a vitiated taste, it is difficult to 

 say , but it is a notorious fact, that any attempt at art, by au 

 uncivilized people, is generally widely different from what the 

 object is in nature : and yet the opportunities of these people 



