274 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIII. 
The record of the sex is all important, and, for convenience, is usually 
noted by the sign 4 for male and Q for female, these being the astronomical 
signs for the planets Mars and Venus, In the case of birds the sex can only 
be determined by dissection, for the colouration of plumage and other 
external distinctions are utterly unreliable, for the reason that, where the 
sexes differ, instances of male birds assuming the female plumage and vice 
versa are by no means rare, It is better not to note the sex at all unless 
carefully ascertained by dissection, for it is only likely to be misleading, 
and any external distinctions will be retained by the specimen. 
Of the process of skinning and the preparation of specimens as dry skins, I 
feel that it is useless my attempting a description. Both are delicate opera- 
tions that require considerable practice and skill to perform really success- 
fully. Written explanations are of very little practical assistance, and any- 
one wishing to attain the requisite knowledge of its accomplishment can 
learn more in an hour from someone who knows ‘how it is done? witha 
fresh specimen to work on, than from all the published descriptions that 
have ever been written, The turning out of really perfect specimens is an 
art just asis the mounting of ‘stuffed ’’ specimens in natural attitudes, or 
the skill of an artist in any kind of work. Practice of course will do much, 
and anyone who can use his fingers can learn enough with a little 
trouble to prepare specimens of a practical value. In this country, where 
we are constantly attended by a number of servants, there is generally some 
‘boy’ in the establishment—more often than not the ‘ cook’s-mate ’— 
who can learn enough ina week or twoto make him useful as a ‘ skinner, 
and the Society is always ready to help members by training skinners in the 
rudiments of such work if sent to our head-quarters in Bombay. 
For preserving bird skins Arsenical soap is generally used, and it is cer- 
tainly the best preservative for all ordinary occasions, I quote the recipe 
for making it from Mr. Hornaday’s book already mentioned :— 
White bar Soap, soft rather than hard................ce:ee.0e0-+ 2 pounds 
Powdered! arsenic ve: assess ee uenesne cee meee a eteece clare eselserea-ete Deity 
(Chnimny nbs Aba uae dac hae mans obtnanctinesavodsoooaduendese Oxsauoaae oyadee. a9 5 ounces 
Sub-Carbonate Of potas... ....2..cccceseeceeseesessearserreren es GY 
Alcohol ....... Seu ddcbbaetoodechsadeatunds Oy Lar Se SU tak Sean Sipais 
Directions: Slice the soap and melt it in a small quantity of water over 
a slow fire, stirring sufficiently to prevent its burning. When melted add 
the potash and stir in the powdered arsenic. Next add the camphor, which 
should be dissolved in the alcohol at the beginning of the operation. Stir 
the mass thoroughly, boil it down to the consistency of thick molasses, and 
pour it into an earthen or wooden jar to cool and harden, Stir it occasionally, 
while cooling, to prevent the arsenic from settling at the bottom, When 
cold it should be like lard or butter. For use mix a small quantity with 
water until it resembles butter-milk, and apply with a common paint brush, 
