PRACTICAL TAXIDERMY, 



CHAPTER I. 



The Eise and Peogeess of Taxideemt. 



Taxidermy, wldcli is derived from two Greek words, a 

 literal translation of wHcli would signify the "arrangement 

 of sMns," appears to liave been practised in a limited degree 

 ages ago, for may we not say without doubt that the first 

 taxidermists were the ancient Egyptians, who, despite the fact 

 that they seldom or never appear to have removed the skin 

 as a whole, as in our modem methods, yet, taking into consider- 

 ation the excellent manner in which they preserved their 

 human or other bodies for thousands of years by the aid of 

 injections, spices, essential oils, or what not, they may, I think, 

 be fairly placed in the front rank as the first taxidermists 

 the world has known. For an account of the arts used in 

 embalming see Herodotus, who says : 



In Egypt certain persons are appointed by law to exercise this art 

 (embalming) as their peculiar business ; and when a dead body is 

 brought them they produce patterns of mummies in wood imitated in 

 painting, the most elaborate of which are said to be of him (Osiris) 

 ■whose name I do not think it right to mention on this occasion. The 

 second which they show is simpler and less costly ; the third is the 

 cheapest. Having exhibited them all, they inquire of the persons who 

 have applied to them which method they wish to be adopted, and this 

 being settled, and the price agreed upon, the parties return, leaving the 

 body with the embalmers. 



B 



