VERTEBRATES. 3 
and shrubs would answer the saine purpose, but the writer is 
not aware of any experiments having been tried. A substitute 
may be made by taking ordinary wheat flour, placing it ina 
bag of fine muslin and washing it in running water, aiding the 
process by squeezing until all the starch is washed out, and 
only the g/vfen remains behind. This gluten is an adhesive 
substance, which is said to answer the purpose well. 
A third formula for bird-lime is to take linseed oil and 
heat it over a slow fire (carefully watching it to see that it 
does not burn), untilit is very thick, then pour it into cold 
water. Ifit should prove too thick, the addition of a little 
pine tar will readily thin it for use. 
The bird-lime should be smeared on the branches of trees, 
etc., where birds most do congregate, and by adhering to 
their feet, it holds them fast, and renders them an easy prey 
to the collector. 
No matter how procured, all mammals and birds intended 
for stuffing should have the mouth, nostrils, anus and all 
wounds, stopped immediately with cotton wool to prevent 
any soiling of the fur or feathers. It is also well to place each 
bird head first in a cone made of cartridge paper, before 
placing in the game bag, as this will prevent disarrangement 
of the feathers. 
All Vertebrates are really more valuable as alcoholic speci- 
mens, than they are when mounted after the usual manner of 
taxidermists, as the naturalist is then able at any time to 
pursue any desired investigation of their anatomy, a course 
from which he is utterly debarred with stuffed specimens. 
Before being placed in spirit, the abdominal walls of all Ver- 
