S8 TAXIDERMY AND MODELLING 



This is given by Lo Bianco at the conclusion of his article 

 (see footnote, p. 26) as being of service for the preservation 

 of dog-fishes, and even of large sharks intended for skeleton- 

 ising, or of their skin, and he says it is only necessary to 

 remove the intestines and plunge the animal into the liquid, 

 where it may remain, and will be preserved for some months. 



So small a proportion as 10 per cent, has not been tried 

 by the present writer, but a saturated solution, or rubbing the 

 fish with a quantity, of salt has been attended with success. 



49. — Saline Solution (M.B.) 

 Common salt . . . . . 4 oz. 



Water . . . . .1 gal. 



50. — Preservative (provisional) for Flowers and Fruits (M.B.) 

 Glycerin . . . . .\ Equal 



Saline solution, Formula 49 . . .J parts 



This mixture, after many trials of useless formulae stated to 

 perfectly preserve colours of plants, has given the best results. 

 It is not yet claimed that it will preserve such objects for any 

 prolonged period, but it preserves the form and colours of 

 leaves, flowers, and fruit unchanged for a short time — an 

 immense boon, seeing that a plant is often required for some 

 weeks as a copy for modelling from. 



In introducing the subject of insecticides, it may be as well 

 to note that no atmospheric poison save cyanide of potassium, 

 chloroform, and a few others, none of which can be used with 

 safety except in small quantities and in close vessels, will 

 ever inconvenience a moth- or beetle -larva, or cause it to leave 

 off eating. Perhaps crude creosote or rough carbolic acid, 

 naphthaline, or white carbon may be partial deterrents ; but 

 their odour is so penetrating, so sickening, and so doubtfully 

 healthy, that probably the remedy (if remedy it be, which is 

 far from certain) is worse than the affliction. Stoving with 



