— = =e = = 
98 OF ARTIFICIAL SKELETONS. 
sent in considerable quantity, the process may be much acce- 
| lerated by driiling holes with a gimlet or other instrument, in 
_ the opposite ends of the bones, and injecting by means of a 
_ syringe, a tepid solution of pearl-ash, the pot-ash combining 
| with the oleaginous matter, forming a kind of soap, which be- 
_ing soluble in water, is easily removed. Chloride of lime is 
also employed for the same purpose. 
The relative proportion of earthy and animal matter varies 
_ according to the nature of the bone, and the purposes it is in- 
tended to serve. The bones of quadrupeds and birds contain 
a much greater proportion of earthy matter than those of rep- 
_ tiles and fishes, and hence are more easily cleaned. Here it 
may be remarked, that the colour of bones varies in different 
animals. Jn some common fowl it approaches to a dark yel- 
_lowish brown. Food exercises considerable influence on the 
colour, as is demonstrated in animals which feed on madder. 
When the bones are perfect and dry, they are connected by 
means of wire and screws, &c. This is the most difficult part 
of the operation, as it requires considerable skill to reassemble 
| the bones, so that they may be placed in their natural order 
and position. The operation is begun at one of the extremi- 
_ ties, by making holes in the apophysis, or round ball of the 
bone, plate I., fig. 1, a& i. This is effected by means of a 
_wimble or a lathe, or with a gimlet, although this instrument 
| has hardly sufficient power for perforating so hard a substance 
as bone. The bones are then attached to each other in their 
natural order, with nealed iron-wire,* or brass-wire, by means 
of the perforations which have been made. The ends of the 
| wire should be twisted, and net too firmly, but sufficient to 
allow a little play between the articulation ; this mode to be 
pursued till the whole wires are put together. They are then 
ready for placing on a board, and are kept erect by means 
_ of one or two perpendicular bars of iron, commensurate to 
the weight of the skeleton. In the larger species of birds, 
one support is necessary ; it is passed through the breast-bone, 
and attached under the spine, as represented in the skeleton 
of the Goshawk (Falco palumbarius), plate J., fig. 1. The po 
* See Receipts. 
