INTRODUCTION. Vll 



as objects of worship, and consequently preserved 

 after death, as among the ancient Egyptians, who 

 embalmed entire birds and mammals that were 

 considered sacred. 



From the rude methods of preserving skins, 

 doubtless, arose the idea of mounting, or placing 

 the skins in lifelike attitudes. The first objects 

 selected for this purpose were, of course, birds and 

 mammals of singular forms or brilliant colors, as 

 objects of curiosity. Later specimens would have 

 been preserved for ornamental purposes, but it is 

 probable that it was not until the seventeenth cen- 

 tury that either birds or mammals were collected 

 with any idea of their scientific value. 



Specimens either mounted or in skins must 

 have been rudely preserved at first, but, like all 

 other branches of art and science, when people 

 began to understand the value of well-made speci- 

 mens when compared with those poorly done, 

 workmen who became skilled in their art appeared 

 and turned out good work. The art of making 

 good skins, however, never was understood in 

 this country, at least until within the last fifteen 

 or twenty years, and even now it is rare to find 

 good workmen who can make skins well and 

 rapidly. 



