336 



Taxidermy* 



from the " Hints" new published how easily very valuable assistance 

 may be rendered by them. 



(True Extract.) 



T. PYCROFT, 



Chief Secretary. 



Hints on the Preservation of Specimens of Natural History, intend- 

 ed for country residents f adapted to India.) By John Macgil- 

 iiiVEAT, P. K. g. s., Author of *' Voyage of H. M. S. Rattlesnake" 

 8fc. 



It is not necessary in the present age to address any arguments in 

 favour of Natural History, as one of the sciences, for it has long been 

 established as such, although certainly yielding in point of impor- 

 tance to many others. But I would say a few words with regard to 

 the amusement, rational enjoyment, and intellectual improvement, 

 which a taste for Natural History pursuits, so easily acquired, brings 

 within the reach of those especially who are residents in the coun- 

 try. It need not at all interfere with the more serious duties of life ; 

 it agreeably fills up one's leisure hours. Every stroll in the garden, 

 or in the jungle or forest, or by the sea-shore, presents the observer 

 with objects of interest, whether of vegetable or animal life. When- 

 ever a person takes an interest in contemplating, examining, and 

 studying these things, and follows his bent of mind as far as his 

 time and opportunities allow, he becomes a Naturalist — a student of 

 nature — for such an appellation is by no means to be appropriated 

 solely by those further advanced in the study, who have mastered 

 technicalities and are acquainted with the various scientific arrange- 

 ments, and possess some knowledge of the external and internal 

 structure of the objects in question. And then what a wide field of 

 research does the Natural History of India afford ! Yet those who 

 have done the most to make the world at large acquainted with its 

 natural productions have seldom been permanent residents, but tra- 

 vellers explorers, and naturalists from other countries. Yet every 

 resident in the country, provided he be a person of observation and 

 of ordinary education, could furnish a fund of information regarding 

 the objects around him which would be highly valued by all true 

 naturalists, who are not content with the mere inspection of cases of 



