ZOOLOGY. 



185 



jects become cumborsome, and of course have an air of 

 excessive stiffness, besides which, many of them loose all 

 their colour ; this latter defect will happen to the 

 skins of almost every kind ; as, soon after death, the vivid 

 tints so attractive during the life of the animal, entirely 

 forsake it, leaving the skins of a dull brown, or olive 

 colour ; to remedy which, the subjects should be stuffed as 

 soon as obfained, and the skins varnished, as early after as it 

 can be doi^e with safety, they being allowed to dry first, 

 otherwise the moisture retained will soon occasion decay. 



When finished, the same modes to prevent the attacks of 

 insects should be resorted to, as for the skins of other ani- 

 mals ; and finally they may be placed in cases or cabinets, 

 according to the taste of the collector, securing them from 

 damp, and keeping them rather in a shady aspect, a strong 

 light being likely to induce a change of colour. 



On procuring specimens with which the collector may be 

 unacquainted, he should, as recommended in the preceding 

 classes, endeavour to ascertain their useful or noxious proper- 

 ties ; as also, to what purposes applied, whether for food, 

 or other domestic uses ; if the skins or oil be of a nature 

 likely to be of advantage to the Arts or Manufactures ; if 

 used as manure, &c. &c. ; if they be migratory, their kinds of 

 food, and other particulars, which tend to give an insight 

 into the history of the various species. 



