84 the taxidermist's guide. 



It being supposed that a traveler has an ample caravan, pro- 

 vided with all the necessaries which we have pointed out, and 

 having killed a quadruped, he will skin it immediately, according 

 to the method which we have pointed out. He will then sew up 

 the skin after receiving a partial stuffing, and having been anointed 

 with the arsenical soap or composition. All the extremities must 

 then be imbued with spirit of turpentine, and the skin should be 

 placed in some convenient place to dry, so that it may have the 

 advantage of complete exposure to the air. The turpentine must 

 be again applied at the end of three or four days, more especially 

 around the mouth of the quadruped. 



It will be of the utmost advantage to remain a week or ten days 

 at one place ; by which means the naturalist will have had time 

 to render himself somewhat acquainted with the animals which 

 localize in that neighborhood. And as some species frequently 

 confine themselves to a very limited spot, by leaving the place too 

 hurriedly he is apt to overlook them. 



After the traveler has determined on leaving his cantonment, 

 he must see that all the objects he has collected are in a condition 

 to be removed. He must examine carefully each specimen, and 

 see that they have not been attacked by the destructive insects, 

 so abundant in warm climates. Should flics have deposited their 

 eggs in the lips of the quadrupeds or birds, these must be destroyed 

 by spirit of turpentine. When a set of animals or birds are 

 thoroughly dry, they should be packed in a box or case, which 

 has been well joined. 



A journal ought to be kept detailing all the circumstances con- 

 nected with the animals, the places in which they were killed, and 

 the color of their eyes, together with any information that can be 

 procured of their habits from the natives. People are too apt to 

 forget particulars when engaged in such varied pursuits, and the 

 eooner they are committed to paper the better. 



When the traveler arrives in Africa, he will meet with animals 

 of the largest size ; such as the Elephant, Rhinoceros, Hippopot- 

 amus, Giraffe, Quagga, Urus, Bubulus, Condoma, as well as large 

 Antelopes and Deer. He will unquestionably find some difficulty 

 in his endeavors to bring with him the skins of these animals, as 

 in that country it is even troublesome, in many cases, to transport 

 the necessaries of life. But the ardor of the zealous naturalist 



