INTRODUCTION. 



The great need of a good illustrated work to guide 

 young naturalists in collecting and preserving objects of 

 natural history has induced me to prepare the present 

 Manual. In this attempt I hope I have been in some 

 degree successful. I have spared no pains to bring to- 

 gether, in a comprehensive form, the results of many years 

 of experience in collecting and preserving objects of natu- 

 ral history, both for private cabinets and for scientific 

 museums. 



No popular work of this kind has before been published 

 in America. Throughout the present work I have endeav- 

 ored to encourage the young to engage in the ennobling 

 study of Natural History, and to join the band of young 

 naturalists so rapidly increasing in our land. 



I trust the reader will not by any means keep the teach- 

 ings of this book secret, as some taxidermists are wont to 

 counsel, but spread it broadcast among those who would 

 profit by the information I have herein attempted to con- 

 vey. It is intended for the Naturalist, whoever and 

 wherever he may be ; and as it comes from a colaborer in 

 the common field, it wiU, perhaps, be weU received. 



