Guide to Taxidermy 



189 



Arsenic Solution 



This solution is often used to dip animal skins 

 into, to make them insect proof. 



It is made by placing 2 pounds of crystallized 

 arsenic and 1 pound of Bicarbonate of Soda in 4 

 quarts of water and boiling until the ingredients 

 have thoroughly dissolved. This solution should 

 be kept in a tight bottle and for use be diluted with 

 four times its bulk of water. The skin may be en- 

 tirely immersed in it or the solution may be spray- 

 ed on the fur with an atomizer. This solution 

 answers the purpose very well, but we prefer 

 either Corrosive Sublimate or a Sulphuric Acid so- 

 lution as described under these heads. 



Blowpipe 



This is used for blowing bird eggs. It is a 

 brass tube with the end drawn out to a fine point 

 and slightly up-turned. The point is not to be in- 

 serted in the hole in the egg, but held close to it, 

 forcing the air in, which in turn, forces the con- 

 tents out. You can obtain this from a naturalists' 

 supply dealer. 



Bone Shears 



These are large strong scissors capable of cut- 

 ting through wing and leg bones of large birds. 



