196 Miscellanies. 



the basis of Brande and Turner ; containing the principal facts of the 

 science, arranged in the order in which they are discussed and illus- 

 trated in the lectures at Harvard University, and various Colleges and' 

 Medical Schools in the United States : by J. W. Webster, M. D., Er- 

 ving Professor of Chemistry in Harvard College. The third edition, 

 with numerous additions and alterations, adapted to the present state of 

 the science." 



The reputation of this work is well known, the two former editions 

 having been adopted as the text book in many Colleges and Institu- 

 tions throughout this country. The present edition has been carefully 

 revised, and rendered of a still more practical character than the preced- 

 ing ones, and many new engravings and other improvements introduced. 

 The publishers would refer those who are not already acquainted with the 

 work, to the 11th Vol. of the American Journal of Science, for a notice 

 of it, and to the Preface to Prof Silliman's Chemistry, in which he re- 

 marks, " few books on Chemistry, contain so much important informa- 

 tion." 



Orders for parts as published, or for the entire work, may be addressed 

 to the Publishers, No. 133, Washington St., Boston. 



anuary. 1839. 



22. Notice of a new mode of preparing Fish SJcinsfor Museums ; hy 

 by Charles Fox. — (Commanicated for this Journal.) — However desi- 

 rable it may be to possess good collections of the skins of fishes, as of 

 birds and other animals, hitherto there has been some difficulty both in 

 preserving them, and making them look natural. 



The old mode of stuffing fishes, is too laborious and expensive, ever to 

 be carried generally into effect ; and the consequence is, that we find 

 fewer specimens of fishes in collections of natural history than of any of 

 the other branches of that science. At the late meeting of the British 

 Association for the advancement of science in Newcastle upon Tyne, a 

 novel mode was proposed by a physician, which combines both facility, 

 speed in execution, and a good appearance ; besides which the expense 

 is little more than the original purchase of the specimen. As this is but 

 slightly noticed in the published reports, I am induced to send you a fur- 

 ther account of the process, hoping that it may prove useful. 



The plan is to cut the fish longitudinally in two, parallel to and a little 

 on one side of the dorsal fin, to take the larger part and clean the flesh en- 

 tirely off it. The head is also to be cut in like manner, nearly to the mouth, 

 which, however, is to be left entire. Thus, when done, there is the skin of 

 exactly half a fish, and half the bones of the head. This having been accom- 

 plished, — and a little practice will enable any one to do it with ease, in an 

 ordinary sized specimen, in a few minutes, — all that remains, is to pin it 

 upon a board or piece of card ; placing cotton below so as to keep the skin 



