PRACTICAL TAXIDERMY. 



CHAPTER I. 



OUTFITTING. 



Naturalists, as a rule, are hard workers, and in their 

 enthusiasm often fail to make suitable preparations 

 for an extended tour. In obtaining full collections, one 

 can have but little choice of climate or surface, and as 

 there is much to tax the strength, even under favorable 

 circumstances, clothing, bedding, and food, should be 

 most carefully looked after. 



Heavy, soft under-clothing, and thick woollen overshirts 

 are essential to comfort, and the buckskin shirt and 

 breeches are far preferable to the skirted coat or woollen 

 pants. A soldier's " caped " overcoat is desirable when 

 hunting at night, and it provides a warm coverlet when 

 bedding is scanty. Thick woollen mittens worn over 

 woollen gloves make the warmest and lightest covering 

 for the hands, though buckskin gloves can be worn in 

 chopping, as the exercise produces circulation. In wear- 

 ing mittens in hunting, the forefinger should have a stall, 

 to facilitate the use of the trigger. 



In a dry country, or at the north in winter, moccasins 

 or larigans (shoe-packs) should be worn on the feet. 

 Blanket footings wrapped over woollen socks, together 

 with a little hay in the bottom of shoes, will prevent 

 bruises, and in the severest weather protect the feet from 

 frost. 



15 



