126 THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 



found, and to take them in traps and snares. They are also 

 more likely to be able to find their retreats, so that they 

 may take these animals in a young state, and also birds in 

 their nests. 



By thus securing animals while young, they are much more 

 likely to reach Europe in a living state. Every exertion 

 should be used to render them familiar, when, being ha- 

 bituated to the appearance of man, they will be more able to 

 resist the effects of a tedious sea voyage than those which 

 jiave been taken when wild, and are under a continued 

 degree of excitement. Every care should be taken to 

 soothe and caress them ; and there is no animal whose man- 

 ners cannot be softened by gentle treatment. During fine 

 weather, they should be allowed to take exercise on the deck, 

 as nothing is so injurious to their health and growth, as being 

 long pent up in a small cage. While thus confined, it will be 

 obvious that they require a much smaller portion of food than 

 when they can have sufficient room to exercise themselves. 

 Many of these animals are lost from over feeding. Their diet 

 should be given with great regularity, but always in such quan- 

 tity as they can easily digest. 



Next to food, cleanliness is of the utmost importance, and 

 if this requires too much of the attention of those who are 

 bringing them home, it will be easy to procure the assistance 

 of some of the crew. And unless this is strictly attended to, 

 there is little chance of preserving their health. 



When animals' skins are imported, it is also necessary to 

 bring the head and feet. Those of the mammalia, which 

 can be put into a barrel or bottle, should be preserved en- 

 tire in spirits. 



In the event of not being able to transport the carcase, the 

 next best thing is to bring the skeleton along with the skin. 

 It will not be necessary to mount these. All that is required 

 is to boil the bones, take off the flesh, and dry them. After- 

 wards, all the bones belonging to the same skeleton should be 

 put in a bag by themselves, taking care to fill up the bag with 

 dried moss, or any other substance which will prevent friction. 

 The more effectually to secure this, the small and tender 

 bones ought to be wrapped in paper. It is of the utmost 

 consequence that not a bone should be lost. 



