RECEIPTS. 90 



INSTRUCTIONS TO TRAVELERS. 



The best means of procuring livin g animals, is by applying to 

 the natives of the different countries, who are accustomed to their 

 habits, and the situation in which they are likely to be found, 

 and to take them in traps and snares. They are also more likely 

 to be able to find their retreats, so that they may take these ani- 

 mals in a young state, and also birds in their nests. 



By thus securing animals while young, they are much more 

 likely to reach home in a living state. Every exertion should be 

 used to render them familiar, when, being habituated to the ap- 

 pearance of man, they will be more able to resist the effects of a 

 tedious sea voyage than those which have been taken when wild, 

 and are under a continued degree of excitement. Every care should 

 be taken to soothe and caress them ; and there is no animal whose 

 manners cannot be softened by gentle treatment. During fine 

 weather, they should be allowed to take exercise on the deck, as 

 nothing is so injurious to their health and growth as being long 

 pent up in a small cage. While thus confined, it will be obvious 

 that they require a much smaller portion of food then when they 

 can have sufficient room to exercise themselves. Many of these 

 animals are lost from over-feeding. Their diet should be given 

 with great regularity, but always in such quantity as they can 

 easily digest. 



- Next to food, cleanliness is of the utmost importance, and if 

 this requires too much of the attention of those who are bringing 

 them home, it will be easy to procure the assistance of some of 

 the crew. And unless this is strictly attended to, there is little 

 chance of preserving their health, 



When animals' skins are imported, it is also necessary to bring 

 the head and feet. Those of the mammalia, which can be put 

 into a barrel or bottle, should be preserved entire in spirits. 



In the event of not being able to transport the carcase, the next 

 best thing is to bring the skeleton along with the skin. It will 

 not be necessary to mount these. All that is required is to boil 

 the bones, take off the flesh, and dry them. Afterwards all the 

 bones belonging to the same skeleton should be put in a bag by 

 themselves, taking care to fill up the bag with dried moss, or any 

 other substance which will prevent friction. The more effectual- 

 ly to secure this, the small and tender bones ought to be wrapped 



