I I. INSTRUMENTS, PRESERVATIVE MATERIALS, &c. 
1. IMPLEMENTS FOR SKINNING. 
The implements necessary in skinning vertebrated animals are : 
1. A knife, such as is used for ordinary dissection, and which may be 
replaced, in extreme cases, by a penknife. 2. A pair of sbarp-pointed 
scissors, and one with strong short blades. 3. Needles and tbread 
for sewing up the incisions in the skin. 4. A hook by which to 
suspend the carcase of the animal while the operation of skinning is 
going on. To prepare the hook, take a string, of from one to three 
feet in length, and fasten one end of it to a stout fish-hook which has 
had the barb broken off. By means of a loop at the other end, the 
string may be suspended to a nail or awl, which, when the hook is 
inserted into the body of an animal, will give free use of both hands 
in the operation of skinning. 
2. preservatives. 
The best material for the preservation of skins of animals consists 
of powdered arsenious acid, or the common arsenic of the shops. This 
may be used in two ways, either applied in dry powder to the moist 
skin, or else mixed with alcohol or water to the consistency of molas- 
ses, and put on with a brush. To the alcoholic solution should be 
added a little camphor. There are no satisfactory substitutes for 
arsenic ; but, in its entire absence, corrosive sublimate, arsenical soap, 
camphor, alum, &c, may be employed. 
The proper materials for stuffing out skins will depend much upon 
the size of the animal. For small birds and mammalia, cotton will 
be found most convenient ; for the larger, tow. For those still larger, 
dry grass, straw, sawdust, bran, or other vegetable substances, may 
be used. Whatever substance is used, care must be taken that it 
be perfectly dry. In no event should animal matter, as hair, wool, 
or feathers, be employed. 
