8 Method of Relaxing Dried Skins, dc. 



the skin beyond its apparent natural size, particularly that of 

 the neck, for however much the skin can be enlarged by this 

 process, it can never be contracted, and an undue length 

 of neck is the general fault of all preserved specimens, 

 whether mounted or otherwise. 



Birds of a size too large for being relaxed in a box of the 

 dimensions above specified may be enveloped in two or three 

 folds of damp cloths, from which the warm water has been 

 well wrungo ut, the inside being also stuffed, as already 

 directed. Wetted cotton or tow should likewise be inserted 

 in the orbits or hollow of the eyes, and should the bill not 

 be closed, an additional piece of wet tow, inserted in the 

 mouth, would much facilitate the object to be attained. 



Skins of quadrupeds are much more difficult to be relaxed 

 than those of birds. 



In these the whole of the original stuffing should be taken 

 out, well saturated with warm water, and the animal en- 

 veloped in wet cloths, over which another, quite dry, will 

 prevent, in a great degree, the evaporation of the steam. 



When it is considered how much more attractive an 

 Ornithological collection, well mounted, becomes to ordinary 

 observers, I cannot deem these few remarks to be unworthy 

 the attention of our Society, as they may ultimately be 

 found very useful, when a fit and proper building is erected 

 for the display of our many specimens now remaining in 

 skins, and which number is continually augmenting by the 

 liberality of our members, and other well-wishers to Zoo- 

 logical Science. 



