556 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1887. 



.<>•- 



A cheaper solution can be made by taking 



White arsenic : i pound. 



Sal soda 4 ounces. 



Water 1 gallon. 



Boil till a solution is made. Take 1 quart to 40 gallons of water. 

 These solutions have been found by the Department of Agriculture to 

 be very useful in destroying the scale-bug and the red spider, so harmful 

 to plants. 



The following method is employed by furriers in the treatment of fur 

 skins for the purpose of rendering them pliable: The skin is steeped 

 and scoured in a bath of alum, bran, and salt, in order to remove greas- 

 iness; then in a bath of soap and soda, to remove the oil from the fur. 

 When thoroughly washed and dried it is found that the pelt has become 

 tawed or kid leather. 



To soften and cleanse buck-skin or chamois leather, rub plenty of 

 castile soap into the skin and soak for two hours in a weak solution of 

 sal soda in warm water and rub well until quite clean. Afterwards rinse 

 in a weak solution of sal soda and soap in water; after rinsing, Wring it 

 dry in a coarse towel, and when fully dry beat it until soft and smooth. 



For domestic purposes the following preventives from moth ravages 

 are suggested : Dissolve in 200 parts of alcohol 2 parts of salicylic acid 

 and 2 parts of thymol; perfume with oil of lemon. This is a neutral 

 solution and will not injure colors or texture, and has a pleasant odor, 

 but is rather expensive. 



A good preparation to sprinkle among furs being packed away in a 

 close box or drawer, is naphthaline and menthol or thymol, in proportion 

 of 1 ounce of the former to 20 grains of either of the latter, rubbed to- 

 gether. The odomvill disappear from the furs or goods after they have 

 been aired for a short time. Even if moths are present and are hatched, 

 they will not feed when closely shut up in the odor of this mixture, and 

 in this respect it is far superior to camphor. Thymol alone is very good. 

 Naphthaline is now on the market in a very convenient shape called 

 " moth marbles," and seems to be going into general use. 



In the following list of apparatus only those things have been men- 

 tioned that have been found necessary or very useful in the operations 

 at the National Museum. Doubtless at other places, where such a 

 range of subjects for poisoning is not presented, some of the articles 

 can be dispensed with : 



Gutta-percha atomizer, which may bought for one dollar. The bottle 

 can be easily wired to a handle for convenience. (Fig. 1.) 



I'ig. 1. Gutta-percha atomizer. 



Galvanized sheet-iroivtank (Fig. 2) used for subjecting specimens to 

 bisulphide of carbon. The lid and air-hole cap on the lid both fit into 



