96 THE OOLOGIST. 



Ten plates contain accurate attitudes of Elk, Deer, Bear, Lion, Wild Cat, 

 Muskrat, Beaver, Fox, Weasel, Ferret, Moles, Shrews, etc., etc. The entire 

 muscular system of quadrupeds is illustrated in two figures, together with three 

 others showing the proper formation and modeling of the head, nostrils and lips 

 ■of animals with clay. All the instruments used in Taxidermy are illustrated. 



The text for this work is simple, clear and concise, conforming and refering 

 •to the plates throughout. It consists of the skinning and mounting of birds, 

 variations in the skinning and mounting of birds, making scientific skins, the 

 best method of softening or relaxing skins and the time required in each case; 

 mounting birds with the wings spread; new method of mounting long-necked 

 birds; the manipulation of the dry skins of Mammals and all pertaining to the 

 mounting of their skins fresh or dry; modeling in clay, etc., etc., No theoreti- 

 'Cal methods or illustrations are offered in the work — simply those that have been 

 obtained by actual -experience. Besides the regular text a concise description 

 will face each i^late which will enable immediate reference when all the details 

 -are not desired. It has already been said by those who have examined the illus- 

 trations that they are so complete in their exposition of the art of Taxidermy 

 that there is really little need of text matter. Our design from the begining has 

 been to make this a grand wofk, superior to anythingthat has yet appeared in 

 the literature of Taxidermy. Nothing like it has appeared in any language or in 

 any country, the quality of the illustrations being of the highest order, delineat- 

 ing as they do, everything that has long been desired in the Art. 



PLAN OF PUBLICATION. 



Knowing that there is a great demand for a thorough work on Taxidermy at 

 .u lower price than was (Mir first intention to pul:)lish, I have decided to reduce 

 the size of the illustrations from that in the originals, printing them on plate 

 paper 7 x 10 inches, thus making a work of royal octavo size. The engravings 

 will be executed in the finest style and the work will l^e printed for me by one 

 of the best publishing houses in New York City, and I am assured that as an ex- 

 -ample of book making it will be one of the best, and will be known as Edition dc 

 luxe. It will be tastefully bound in cloth, gilt uncut edges and gilt top. 



Provided I can secure 500 bona fide subscril)ers at $5.00 per copy, the work 

 will appear complete in one royal octavo volume in September, 1890. 



Considering the expense already incurred in securing the illustrations and 

 the immediate outlay in producing the book I feel confident that no publisher 

 would undertake the work without jaelding him at least double the amount per 

 -copy of the price asked. 



As the work has been purely a labor of love with me I feel sure that it will 

 agreeably surprise \nj subscribers, but under no consideration will the book be 

 published in the form herein stated unless the 3^0 subscribers can be assured. _ 



I would not, however have it understood that the information contained in 

 this Avork is all my oAvn. My eighteen years experience as a Taxidermist is 

 i)acked by that of Dr. Jasper who has practiced the art of Taxidermy in France, 

 Germany and in this country for more than fifty years. He is thoroughly con- 

 versant with the best methods employed in the modeling and building up of the 

 structures of Mammals and in every detail in the entire art, j)ossessiug at the 

 same time an extraordinary ability for depict?iiig these subjects with pen and 

 brush, while his mounted specimens fairly rival some of the examples in the 

 higher plastic arts. 



I have selected for the title of the work, "Methods in the Art of Taxi- 

 dermy." 



Within thirty days from the delivery of the complete volume, subscribers 

 will receive at least two proof illustrations and a printed "Contents" of the 

 -work. I trust that you will send at once for a subscription blank, which I hope 

 you will, after "due consideration, sign and return to me so that I may know as 

 ^oon as possible the results of this proposition. A prompt reply will also cause 

 no delay in the mechanical execution of the work. 



Very truly, 



OLIVER DAVIE, 

 214 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio. 



