488 LEWIS'S AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



We saw a few days since a large box of pinnated-grouse skins 

 nearly ruined in consequence of having been ignorantly suspended 

 by the neck to dry. 



To preserve the skins from the attacks of insects, more espe- 

 cially in warm weather, it will be necessary to powder thoroughly 

 every portion of their inner surfaces with pure arsenic, or anoint 

 with some of the arsenical soaps or other standard compositions. 

 We prefer the free use of the arsenic itself: a weak solution of 

 corrosive sublimate is the most convenient, if not the very best, of 

 the liquid preparations. A teaspoonful of this poison to a quart 

 of alcohol is about the proper proportion. The whole skin can be 

 immersed in this solution without detriment, if it be deemed ex- 

 pedient. 



With these few observations on this head, we will pass on to 

 another kindred subject, which we also purpose to treat in the same 

 summary manner ; our object being merely to call the attention of 

 the intelligent sportsman to these matters, with the hope of creating 

 an interest in those animals which he pursues, beyond the mere 

 shooting of them, an interest that will most likely ultimately 

 result in benefits to the cause of science. If this end is accom- 

 plished, our object is secured. 



It could not be expected of us to enter largely into the subject 

 of taxidermy, for it would require a volume of itself; and, moreover, 

 there has been so much already written by those far more ex- 

 perienced than we could ever hope to be, that it would be absurd 

 in us to collate such matters for our present book ; we prefer call- 

 ing the attention of our readers to the works of Mrs. Lee and 

 Captain Brown, either of which contains all the information that 

 one could desire upon the art of collecting, preparing, and mount- 

 ing objects of natural history. 



Both of these manuals have gone through a large number of 

 editions, and contain a vast amount of information in a small 

 compass. 



