£8 the taxidermist's guide. 



or if neglected to be renewed ; and there is great difficulty in 

 poisoning some specimens on account of their delicacy and minute- 

 ness. If you keep spirits of turpentine in the boxes which con- 

 tain your preserved specimens, I am of opinion that those speci- 

 mens will be safe as long as the odor of the turpentine remains 

 in the box, for it is said to be the most pernicious of all scents to 

 insects. But it requires attention to keep up an atmosphere of 

 spirit of turpentine ; if it be allowed to evaporate entirely, then 

 there is a clear and undisputed path open to the inroads of the 

 enemy ; he will take advantage of your absence or neglect, and 

 when you return to view jouv treasure you will find it in ruins. 

 Spirits of turpentine poured into a common glass inkstand, in 

 which there is a piece of sponge, and placed in a corner of your 

 box, will create a poisoned atmosphere and kill every insect there. 

 The poisoning of your specimens by means of corrosive sublimate 

 in alcohol, is a most effective method. As soon as the operation 

 is properly performed, the depredating insect perceives that the 

 prepared specimen is no longer food for it, and will for ever cease 

 to attack it ; but then every part must have received the poison, 

 otherwise those parts where the poison has not reached will still 

 be exposed to the enemy, and he will pass unhurt over the 

 poisoned parts till he arrives at that part of your specimen 

 which is still wholesome food for him. Now, the difficulty lies 

 in applying the solution to very minute specimens without injur- 

 ing their appearance * and all that can be said is, to recommend 

 unwearied exertion, which is sure to bo attended with great skill, 

 and great skill will insure surprising success. 



I am convinced that there is no absolute and lasting safety for 

 prepared specimens in Zoology from the depreciations of insects, 

 except by poisoning every part of them with a solution of cor- 

 rosive sublimate in alcohol. 



Mr. Waterton is of opinion that tight boxes with aromatic 

 atmospheres are not to be depended upon in the preservation of 

 insects. He says : " The tight boxes and aromatic atmospheres 

 will certainly do a great deal, but they are liable to fail, for this 

 obvious reason, viz. : that they do not render for ever absolutely 

 baneful and abhorrent to the depredator that which in itself is 

 nutritious and grateful to him. In an evil hour, through neglect 

 in keeping up a poisoned atmosphere, the specimens collected by 



