310 MUSEUMS. 



upon a specimen, to render the novice an adept in 

 this new mode of preserving quadrupeds for cabinets 

 of natural history. But, as I have neither leisure 

 nor inclination to assemble pupils around me, I 

 must request him who approves of the plan to be 

 satisfied with the outline which I have just given 

 him. I have no doubt but that his own abilities 

 and industry will eventually crown his efforts with 

 success. 



Upon this new principle I have prepared the 

 large ant-bear, a land tortoise, an armadillo, a dog's 

 head (now in the possession of the Duke of North- 

 umberland), a hedgehog, a polecat, and the non- 

 descript. 



These specimens will be amply sufficient to prove 

 that animals with a rough coat of hair, others 

 with a smooth one, others with a shell, others 

 with a scaly armour, others with a soft fur, and 

 others, in fine, with a skin studded over with spikes, 

 can have their form and features restored ; and that 

 the skin, prepared after the manner which I have 

 described, will always retain its shape and brilliancy, 

 and be quite free from the ravages of the moth, or 

 from any detriment by being exposed to damp. 



Museums ought to be encouraged by every means 

 possible. The buildings themselves are, in general, 

 an ornament to the towns in which they have been 

 built ; whilst the zoological specimens which they 

 contain, although prepared upon wrong principles, 

 are, nevertheless, of great interest ; since they afford 

 to thousands, who have not the means of leaving 

 their own country, a frequent opportunity of seeing 



