132 TAXIDERMY. 



method is the use of the arsenical preservative., 

 known under the name of Becceur's soap (see 

 page 16). This is the preservative employed in 

 the Galleries of the Jardin du Roi, and its success 

 is certain. We should more especially use it for 

 unique and precious objects, for the preservation of 

 which we are particularly anxious. The use of this 

 preservative requires much precaution, and we 

 must only put it inside the skin, and not on the 

 outside, because in touching and shaking the skin 

 to mount the animal, we may experience its per- 

 nicious effects. It would be a good method to note 

 the objects which are thus prepared, that in un- 

 packing the cases we may shake the skins carefully. 

 We think it may be dispensed with until the period 

 of their being mounted for the cabinet, and the fol- 

 lowing is the method of supplying its place. 



Spirits of turpentine, oil of petroleum, and cam- 

 phor, do not kill insects, but they disperse them. 

 These means are insufficient, and are inconvenient, 

 on several accounts, for objects which we preserve 

 in collections ; but they are sufficient to protect them 

 during their transportation in cases. When we 

 pack the skin of an animal, we commence by shaking 

 away the insects already lodged ; it will then be suf- 

 ficient to pass all over the inside of the skin with a 

 brush dipped in oil of petroleum, or spirits of tur- 

 pentine. We lightly pack the skin with cotton, 

 impregnated with the same substances. We then 



