ZOOLOGY. 5S 



after which it should be placed in a glass case, with tha 

 seams and joints closely pasted up ; and lest any insects 

 •hould be attached to the skin, it will be better that the 

 case be baked, in the manner already directed, relating to the 

 packing the skins. The skins of Animals that are in a 

 recent state, should be treated in all respects as the fore- 

 going, excepting that the skins should not be filled out to the 

 full extent, as in drying, the skin is liable to shrink ; fresh 

 skins will also require much more of the antiseptic powder 

 to be used when stuffing, as it absorbs the grease contained 

 in the skin ; and they will require longer time in drying, 

 before they are in a fit state to place in cases. 



The wires that pass through the legs, should be brought 

 through the bottom of the case and there turned, by which 

 the skin will be kept in an erect posture ; and to prevent 

 its weight inclining the Animal forwards, a piece of wire 

 may be introduced through the back of the case and attached 

 to the body, which will effectually prevent its moving, at any 

 time the case may require to be taken down. As a pleasing 

 relief, and to ornament the inside of the bottom of the case, 

 a quantity of dried moss, finely powdered, and mixed with a 

 little coarse sand, may be sifted over it, first moistening the 

 ground with thin carpenter's glue ; the ground may be fur- 

 ther enlivened by introducing sprigs of moss or dried grasses. 



To persons visiting foreign parts for the purpose of pur- 

 suing this study on a more extended field, we take leave to 

 remark, that in all cases where it is practicable, the skins 

 of both sexes in the adult state are particularly desirable, as 

 also that of the young, when any remarkable difference is 

 apparent ; as for instance, the skin of Felis concolor, the 



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