PREPARING SKELETONS. 73 
with a fine needle; the glutinous matter contained in the 
plants will cause them to adhere so firmly to the paper 
when dried and pressed as to look like a very fine engrav- 
ing or painting. When a collection of these are executed 
by a skilful and artistic hand, and bound in a book, they 
form a beautiful and interesting volume.* 
Section Il. Preparing Skeletons. — 1 will give the meth- 
ods by which bones may be cleaned. To clean the bones 
of large animals, first take off as much of the flesh as is 
possible with a knife ; then put them in slatted boxes, and 
place the boxés in a running stream, or between tide-marks 
on the seashore. The boxes, being open, will allow the 
entrance of Shrimps, other aquatic animals, and insects, 
who will devour the meat, while the water, having free 
passage through, will perform its part. When well cleaned, 
wash them in warm soap-suds, and, after rinsing, dry in 
the sun and air; this will tend to bleach them. 
The bones of smaller animals may also be cleansed in 
this manner ; but the better way is either to boil them until 
the flesh comes off easily, or to put them into water that 
has been impregnated with chloride of lime ; in both cases 
the bones will have to be cleaned afterwards with a knife 
and a stiff brush; they shorld be scraped as little as 
possible. If kept in a dry place, exposed to the action 
of the air, the bones will bleach constantly. 
Mounting Skeletons. —To mount the skeleton of a bird, 
place a wire through the hole occupied by the spinal cord, 
and fasten it in the skull; this will hold the vertebra of 
* As there is not a general interest manifested in the objects alluded to 
in this section, I have given but few directions for collecting and preserv~ 
ing them, but such as will, perhaps, satisfy the general collector. Those 
who are particularly interested in them will find in the pages of the vari- 
ous numbers of the “ American Naturalist” more particular directions for 
collecting and preserving each branch of this truly interesting class of 
animals, written by the most competent and well-informed men in our 
country 
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