106 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XI1/, 
being done, there are two methods of preserving it,each of which may at times 
prove the most convenient, These are by drying it with suitable preserva- 
tives, or by putting it in ‘ pickle,’ 
Dry Process,—This is the system most generally adopted, and usually most 
convenient from the point of view of easy transport. Firstly, any holes or 
cuts that have been made by bullets or knives should be carefully sewn up. 
If itis a whole skin, it should then be pegged out either on the ground in the 
shade, or on a board, if one of suitable size be available, with the hair side 
downwards, using nails or pegs that will damage the skin as little as possible. 
In pegging a skin out, care should be taken not to stretch it beyond the 
measurements that have been taken, for it is most difficult to bring it back to 
its proper dimensions, if it has been overstretched and so dried, It is not 
absolutely necessary that the skin be pegged out for drying, but, if time allow, 
it is advisable to do so, as it enables the preservative to get at all parts of it 
better and dry evenly. 
Into every part of it is then rubbed a mixture consisting of four parts 
powdered burnt alum and one part of saltpetre, special attention being paid 
to the lips, ears, feet and other fleshy parts, When this has been thoroughly 
rubbed in, sprinkle the skin regularly all over with the mixture and then leave 
it to dry, at the same time watching it carefully, in case any part of it shows 
signs of requiring a further application of the alum. It should also be beaten 
each day with a stick, as in some places white ants may come up out of the 
ground and play havoc with the underneath part of the skin. When 
thoroughly dry, the skin will by this means be preserved from decomposition, 
but it is further necessary to protect it from the attacks of insects, especially 
in tropical climates, the most destructive of which is a small beetle about a 
quarter of an inch long, whose generic name is Dermestes, This is best done 
by a free application of spirits of turpentine to the hair side of the skin, 
with which too the inside should be sprinkled, We have now only to fold 
up the skin carefully, hair outwards, to a convenient size for packing, when 
it only requires inspecting occasionally to see that no parts become tainted. 
The second or 
‘ Pickle ’ Process is sometimes useful owing to its simplicity and the avoid- 
ance of any such delay as waiting for the skin to dry, which may at times be . 
inconvenient, ‘his naturally applies mostly to the rainy season when it may 
be almost impossible occasionally to dry a skin properly. Many taxidermists, 
too, prefer a ‘ wet’ skin for purposes of mounting. 
The ‘liquor’ or ‘ brine’ is made as follows, quoting Mr, Hornaday: “ For 
“ every gallon of water put in 2lb, of alum (1 pint) and 1$lbs, of salt (about 
“ 1 quart), and heat the liquid to the boiling point, stirring occasionally, so that 
“the salt and alum will dissolve Then pour it into a wooden, earthen, or 
“ glass vessel, or a tank lined with lead (for zinc or galvanized iron will not 
“ answer), and when it is cool, or even milk warm, it is ready for use,” 
