380 



ZOOLOGY- 



[Soct, XI. 



In warm climates of course it is necessary to skin the 

 animal immediately after death, and it is very desirable 

 that the skin be kept in the shade. Large quadruped 



^kins should be immersed in a strong solution of alum, in 



^ 



^ 



which they may remain three or four days, and when 

 taken out of the alum-water they should be w^ashed on 

 the inner side wdth arsenical soap,* especially about the 

 skull and bones of the fc^t; a painting -brush may be 

 used for this purpose, and the soap should be mixed with 

 water until it has the consistence of cream : a very small 

 quantity of soap is sufficient ; it should not be used too 

 freely. When it is ineon?enient to u^e alum-water, the 

 pow'dered alum may be used in a dry state, and should 

 be well rubbed over the whole of the inner side of the 

 sk 



4n 



PacMnQ. — Great care should be taken in packing skins 



that they be thoroughly dry* They should be packed in 

 wooden boxes, and some pieces of camphor must be placed 

 with them in order to prevent the attacks of moths. 

 Toba< 





5*3 





is often used, but does not always answer the 

 intended purpose. When soldered up in tin boxes speci- 

 mens often become mouldy, and are sometimes perfectly 

 destroyed by the damp. 



Labelling specimens. — The labels or numbers should 

 never be placed on the paper or wrapper in which a speci- 

 men is enclosed ; in this case they often become acci- 

 dentally transferred, especially in the examination which 

 the specimens undergo at the custom-house, &c. Small 



parchment labels, wdth the locality of the specimens, should 

 be securely tied to the legs or some other convenient part ; 



* See p. 372. 



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