TAXIDERMY. 9 



vapour had changed the red into a dirty yellow, 

 faded the yellow, blackened the blue, soiled the 

 cases, and even the glasses which inclosed them. 

 Notwithstanding these inconveniencies, we do not 

 entirely renounce sulphur; we shall point out 

 means of using it properly, and with security ; but 

 for mammifera only. Natural History compre- 

 hends so many different objects, that we are ob- 

 liged, according to circumstances, to have recourse 

 to, or to invent, different methods by which we may 

 attain our desire, but we cannot preserve all kinds 

 of animals in the same manner. 



Birds have had the preference over all other ani- 

 mals from the richness of their plumage, and the 

 elegance of their forms. The desire of preserving 

 their beautiful skin has given birth to Taxidermy ; 

 at least if we may judge by the preference naturally 

 accorded to them by all those who have imbibed a 

 taste for this art. He who can mount a bird pro- 

 perly may in time form a numerous collection, but 

 he will be very far from extending it to all classes 

 of animals. This truth becomes evident from the 

 comparison of all the cabinets in Europe, with that 

 of the Museum in Paris. In Germany there are 

 few Museums composed of ma mmalia and birds. 

 The Dutch are great lovers of rare birds, they have 

 four or five collections of great interest from the 

 rarity of the species, and the beautiful preparation 

 of the individuals. An old sculptor, living at La- 

 B 5 



