JAN 9 
17 
MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER: AN AGRICULTURAL AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER 
CHEMISTRY OF THE SUNBEAM. 
The Rochester Athenaeum had the great good 
fortune to secure for the last two lectures of 1857, 
the services of that most original, enthusiastic and 
erudite lecturer on Chemistry and kindred sciences, 
Prof. Youmans of New Y'ork: and never has it been 
our lot, thro’ many years experience, to listen to 
such a brilliant and thrilling exposition of scien¬ 
tific truth — riveting the attention and enlisting the 
hearty sympathies of a large audience (on the last 
occasion for nearly two hours,) as his two discourses 
on the “ Chemistry of the Sunbeam.” In magni¬ 
ficent generalization, in power of genius, and in 
lofty sublimity, there were passages equaling if 
not surpassing any thing of the kind in the lan¬ 
guage. We were lifted up into the Empyrean 
world, where we caught glimpses of the mighty 
laws that connect atoms with universes, harmonize 
earth with heaven, and bring the humblest form of 
matter into relation and communion with mind 
and the Creative spirit 
It is the mission of Prof. Youmans to identify 
in his methods, science with philosophy, and to in¬ 
augurate a Provident and universal science that 
should marry and fuse into one congruous harmo¬ 
nious whole, all the various divided and fractional 
sciences that have so long awaited their chosen 
priest And with all his wonderful and sublime 
flights, and his power of unlocking and unfolding 
to the mind the mysteries of the universe, Prof. 
Y., by the clearness of his statement and the plain¬ 
ness and vividness, as well as force and beauty of 
bis illustrations, is peculiarly fitted, as “People’s 
Professor,” to induct the great masses in these mis¬ 
cellaneous gatherings into the great laws and prin¬ 
ciples and glorious suggestions of theoretical and 
practical science. Speaking entirely without notes 
— save his lucid diagrams — from the full inspira¬ 
tions of learning and genius, he carries his audi¬ 
ences away in the flood of his enthusiasm. 
Among the peculiarities of these lectures is the 
startling novelty of the discussion. We have hith¬ 
erto been taught to conceive of nothing more 
widely asunder than the sciences of Chemistry and 
Astronomy—one earthly and the other celestial: 
the one a problem of ponderable matter in its mi¬ 
nutest aspects — the other an affair of spaces, dura¬ 
tions and astral revolutions on the grandest scale. 
Surely, it was believed, these can have little in 
common. But it is the purpose of these discourses 
to show that science has developed the profoundest 
and most intimate relations between them. This 
is what we ought to be prepared to expect from the 
acknowledged unity of God's works, and it is cer¬ 
tainly one of the grandest generalizations to which 
the human mind has attained — one of the most 
splendid conceptions that genius has ever verified. 
The chain of demonstration by which this con¬ 
clusion is established is an admirable illustration of 
the induetive ascent from particulars to universals. 
Beginning with the geological masses of which the 
earth’s crust is composed, and rising to a survey 
of the chemical conditions and activities upon its 
surface, the Lecturer traced the march of the phe¬ 
nomena upward, and outward, and onward, until 
the remotest heavens became involved with the 
earth in an all-pervading, ubiquitous scheme of 
power, life, and intelligence. In itself our earth 
was shown to be but dead matter, slag and cinders. 
But by the play of celestial agencies the terrestrial 
atoms are thrown into movement and the condi¬ 
tions of power and activity maintained. 
The view presents a sublime synthesis of Provi¬ 
dential means — how God’s ministers act in carry¬ 
ing on the administration of his government. As 
has been well said, “This exalted theme has found 
a man fitted to unfold it Mr. Youmans’ manner is 
extemporaneous, conversational, truly vivid and 
eloquent. The ability with which his subject is 
presented to large concourses of people untrained 
in these fields of thought, is hardly less surprising 
than the import of the discussion itself. Those 
who can rivet long and closely the attention of 
large miscellaneous audiences upon scientific sub¬ 
jects are rare. Mr. Youmans has the gift” 
TEACHERS’ CHARACTERISTICS. 
An interesting paper lately read before the Unit¬ 
ed Association of Schoolmasters of Great Britain, 
contains the following generalizations: 
1. Teachers of limited capacity, or whose com¬ 
mand of language is limited, invariably teach best 
with text books, or by the individual system of 
instruction. 
2. Men of fervid imagination, having great com¬ 
mand of language and enthusiasm of character, al¬ 
most invariably become superior teachers. 
3. Decision of character almost invariably 
forms an element in the qualifications of a superior 
teacher. 
4. Men who are deficient in general knowledge 
and enthusiasm of character are generally bad 
teachers, even though they may possess great 
technical acquirements. 
5. An earnest man, imbued with the love of chil¬ 
dren, is rarely a bad teacher. 
6. The love of teaching is generally associated 
with the capacity for it, but the converse does not 
generally hold true. 
7. A man of superior teaching powers teaches 
well by the national method. But he will always 
teach best by that method which is suited to his 
peculiar capabilities. 
8. Men generally teach badly when they attempt 
to teach too much, or when they do not duly pre¬ 
pare their lessons. 
9. Presence of mind and that self-confidence 
which is based on self-knowledge, are essential ele¬ 
ments in a good teacher’s character. 
10. Success in teaching is more dependent upon 
the capabilities of the master for teaching than 
upon his technical acquirements. Teaching power 
is not always associated with superior talents or 
acquirements. 
The slowest advances to greatness are the most 
secure. Swift rises are often attended with precip¬ 
itate falls; and what is soon got is generally short 
in the possession. 
Rest satisfied with doing well, and leave others 
to talk of you what they please. 
i MASSACHUSETTS TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION. 
The State Teachers’ Association of Massachusetts 
held their Annual Meeting on the 23d and 24th of 
December, at Fall River. Three lectures were de¬ 
livered: one by Rev. Wm. R. Alger, of Boston.— 
Subject—“The School of Life;” the second by B. 
F. Putnam, of the Quincy School, Boston, on the 
“Responsibilities and Duties of Parents;” the third 
by Homer B. Sprague, of the Worcester High 
School, on “Eloquence, or the Influence of the 
Public Speaker.” The time unoccupied by the 
lecturers was devoted to discussions of various 
practical questions connected with the great sub¬ 
ject of Education. “ Efficient agencies of a judi¬ 
cious School Government” was one of the topics 
and it was most fully and ably discussed. The con¬ 
clusions arrived at seem to be the following:—The 
co-operation of parents and of the community gen¬ 
erally, is indispensable to the best government of a 
school. This will be gained, not by fawning and 
cringing, by special pleading or special praising, 
but by a uniformly kind, independent, discreet, 
comprehensive straight-forward course. The teach¬ 
er should be willing to consult with parents, but not 
to be dictated to by them. A judicious and effective 
school committee is a desirable agency in school 
government. Moral agencies should be employed 
in the school-room. The teacher should respect 
his pupils if he would have them respect him. But 
when kind treatment and higher motives fail, there 
should be a “must" and “ must not," guarded by 
such penalties as shall secure immediate and abso¬ 
lute obedience. A teacher who would govern suc¬ 
cessfully must study carefully the dispositions and 
the home treatment of his pupils. Not less must 
he watch and study himself. 
The following officers were elected for the ensu¬ 
ing year: President — Daniel B. Hagar, of West 
Roxbury. Vice Presidents —Tlios. Slierwin, Suffolk 
County; Benj. Greenleaf, Essex; C. C. Felton, Mid¬ 
dlesex; Levi Dodge, Norfolk; Wm. E. Fuller, Bris¬ 
tol; Marshall Conant, Plymouth; Sidney Brooks. 
Barnstable; Wm. Russell, Worcester; Jos. Haven, 
Hampshire; Mark Hopkins, Berkshire; Chas. Bar- 
rows, Hampden; T. L. Griswold, Franklin; N. G. 
Bonney, Dukes; Jas. M. Bunker, Nantucket. Rec. 
Secretary —A. M. Gay, of Charlestown. Cor. Secre¬ 
tary —John E. Horr, of Brookline. Treasurer — B. 
F. Putnam, of Boston. 
GENTEEL BAD GRAMMAR. 
It is amusing to observe the broad line of de- 
markation which exists between vulgar bad gram¬ 
mar and genteel bad grammar, and which charac¬ 
terizes the violation of almost every rule of syn¬ 
tax. The vulgar speaker uses adjectives instead of 
adverbs, and says—“ This letter is written shocking;" 
the genteel bungler uses adverbs instead of ad¬ 
jectives, and says—“ This writing looks shockingly." 
The perpetrators of the latter offence may fancy 
they can shield themselves behind the grammatical 
law, which compels the employment of an adverb, 
not an adjective, to qualify a verb, and behind the 
first rule of syntax', which says — “a verb must 
agree with its nominative.” But which is the 
nominative in the expression alluded to? Which 
performs the act of looking,—the writing or the 
speaker? To say that a thing looks when we look 
at it, is an idiom peculiar to our language, and 
means not that the thing actually looks, but only 
appears. Now a thing cannot appear beautifully; 
it may appear beautiful. It is improper, therefore, 
to say, “the moon looks beautifully,” “the flowers 
smell sweetly,” “this writing looks shockingly;” 
because it is the speaker who performs the act of 
looking, smelling, Ac.; and you should say, “The 
moon looks beautiful,” “ The flowers smell sweet” 
What an adjective is to a noun an adverb is to a 
verb; an adjective expresses the quality of a 
thing, and an adverb the manner of an action.— 
Consider what it is you wish to express, the quality 
of a thing, or the manner of an action, and use an 
adjective or adverb accordingly. But beware that 
you discriminate justly; for though you cannot 
say, “The queen looked majestically in her robes,” 
because here the act of looking is performed by 
the spectator, who looks at her, you can, and must 
say, “ The queen looked graciously on the petition¬ 
er,” “ The queen looked mercifully on his prayer,” 
because here the act of looking is performed by the 
queen. You cannot say, “ These flowers j;smell 
sweetly,” because it is you that smell and not the 
flowers; but you can say, “These flowers perfume 
the air deliciously,” because it is they who impart 
the fragrance, not you. You cannot say, “This 
dress looks badly,” because it is you that looks, not 
the dress; but you can say, “This dress fits badly,” 
because it is the dress that performs the act of fit¬ 
ting either well or ill. There are some peculiar 
idioms which it would be better to avoid altogether, 
if possible; but if you feel compelled to use them, 
take them as they are,—you cannot prune and re¬ 
fine them by the rules of syntax, and to attempt 
to do so, shows ignorance as well asfaffectation.— 
Zion's Herald. 
“I Take Care of My Lambs.” — Let teachers 
and parents weigh well the significance of the fol¬ 
lowing extract:—“A gentleman in England was 
walking over his farm with a friend, exhibiting his 
crops, herds of cattle, and flocks of sheep, with all 
of which his friend was highly pleased, but with 
nothing so much as his splendid sheep. He had 
seen the same breed frequently before, but had 
never seen such noble specimens;—and with great 
earnestness he asked to know how he had succeed¬ 
ed in producing such flocks. His simple answer 
was—‘ I take care of my lambs, sir.' Here was all 
the secret of his large, heavy-fleeced, fat sheep; lie 
took care of them when they were lambs.” —Illinois 
Teacher. 
Moderation. — Why this insatiable craving for 
riches? Does a man drink more when he drinks 
from a large glass? From whence comes that uni¬ 
versal dread of mediocrity, the fruitful mother of 
peace and liberty? Ah! there is the evil which 
above every other, it should be the aim of both 
public and private education to anticipate! If that 
were got rid of, what treasons would be spared, 
what baseness avoided, what a chain of excess and 
crime would be forever broken! We award the 
palm to charity and to self-sacrifice; but above all, 
let us award it to moderation, for it is the great 
social virtue. Even when it does not create the 
others, it stands instead of them.— Emile Souvestre. 
NAVY YARD, WASHINGTON. 
The Washington Navy Yard is situated on the 
eastern branch of the Potomac, near its mouth or 
junction with the main river. The best outside 
view of it is obtained from the Virginia shore, 
coming up the river. This is one of the most im¬ 
portant naval stations in the country, both on ac¬ 
count of its locality and the amount of work and 
business of which it is the theater. Among the 
national vessels which have been constructed at 
this yard, are the Columbus, 74; the Potomac, 
Brandywine, Columbia, 44 each; sloops-of-war St. 
Louis and St. Mary’s, 20 each; schooners Grampus 
and Shark, 10 each; and Experiment, 4. Outside 
of the Navy Yard are barracks for the United 
States marines. The yard covers an area of about 
twenty acres, and is inclosed by a substantial brick 
wall, having a principal entrance at the foot of 
Eighth street, through a handsome arched gateway. 
The mechanical operations of this establishment 
are various and extensive, and the skill of the 
workmen and the excellence of the materials em¬ 
ployed have been satisfactorily tested in every sea. 
Anchors of all sizes, for the naval service, are man¬ 
ufactured by the use of two heavy steam-hammers, 
(termed the “Nasmyth Hammer,”) one of which 
weighs 3,GOO pounds, the other 2,240 pounds. The 
forges for this work are kept in blast by a fan- 
blower attached to the steam engine in the machin¬ 
ist’s department. There is also in operation, in the 
anchor department, a direct-action steam-hammer 
(called the “ Kirk Hammer”) in connection with a 
blast furnace for working up into looms and bars 
all the scrap iron of the navy. The massive chain 
cables are made in another shop, which is provided 
with a powerful hydrostatic press for testing their 
strength. Another department is engaged in the 
manufacture of galleys, cabooses, and copper pow¬ 
der-tanks, and of the various kinds of brass work 
appertaining to ships of war. The different ma¬ 
chines employed in making these articles are 
driven by a steam-engine of about fifteen horse 
power. 
A large and extensive iron foundery has recently 
been erected, of sufficient capacity and with the 
necessary facilities for molding and casting the 
heaviest work; connected with this foundery are 
the machines for boring, turning and planing the 
steam cylinders and other machinery required for 
the naval service. Adjoining the iron foundery are 
ordnance and boiler-making departments, which 
are provided with a steam-engine of about twelve 
horse-power. The ordnance department is engaged 
in the fabrication of light brass ordnance, howit¬ 
zers for boat and land service, of shot and shells, 
percussion caps, musket and pistol balls, &c. Close 
by this range of buildings is a very extensive ma¬ 
chine shop, in which are placed all the tools re¬ 
quired in the manufacture of steam-engines and 
machinery of every description. Attached to this 
shop is an engine of sixty horse power, which also 
gives motion to the block-making machinery, and 
to the fan-blowers of the anchor-making depart¬ 
ment. On the western side of the yard is the py- 
rotechnical laboratory, in which are prepared all 
the articles for the navy appropriate to this depart¬ 
ment. There are two large sliip-liouses for build¬ 
ing ships, under one of which is constructed a ma¬ 
rine railway for hauling up steamers for repair.— 
The grounds are beautifully laid out—shaded with 
trees; the whole neatly inclosed and preserved in 
handsome order. 
THE NATIONAL OBSERVATORY. 
Tins is one of the highly interesting objects of 
the National Metropolis. It is situated near the 
north bank of the Potomac, about two miles from 
the Capitol, between the President’s house and 
Georgetown, on what is called Camp Hill. The 
site is a beautiful one, commanding a fine view of 
Washington and Georgetown, of the Potomac river, 
and surrounding country. It is considered a naval 
institution, and is under the direction of Lieut. M. 
F. Maury, of the United States Navy, whose scien¬ 
tific labors and researches for the benefit and im¬ 
provement of navigation have made his name 
known and honored among all civilized nations, 
and given just renown to the institution over which 
he presides. The force employed in connection 
with the Observatory consists principally of naval 
officers. Besides the astronomical duties of the 
establishment, here are kept all the nautical books, 
charts, and instruments belonging to the navy. 
The origin and commencement of this establish¬ 
ment, which now refiecLs so much credit upon the 
country, are of recent date, and briefly as follows: 
—In 1842 an act of Congress was passed, making 
an appropriation of money and grounds for the 
erection of a building intended as a depot for 
charts and mathematical instruments. The build¬ 
ing was erected under the superintendence of Lt. 
J. M. Gillis, who was sent abroad to collect a num¬ 
ber of astronomical and magnetic instruments. In 
1844, Lieut. Maury, of the navy, was directed to 
take charge of the Observatory, and under his di¬ 
rection and untiring efforts it is taking a prominent 
stand among other similar institutions. In 1845, 
Lieut. M. published the observations of that year, 
which fill a large volume, containing also drawings 
of every part of the building, and the instruments 
at that time mounted. The volume is interesting as 
a record of science, as well as a proof of the zeal 
of the officers who have performed the whole of 
the work. 
The Observatory is nearly in the shape of a cross, 
and fronts to the north. The right wing, or east 
room, contains the mural circle and the meridian 
transit, two instruments for similar results, but dif¬ 
fering in their construction. The former is used 
for determining the declinations or latitude of the 
stars, and the latter right ascension and declination 
—that is, both latitude and longitude. To the un¬ 
initiated, the apparatus connected with the instru¬ 
ments for the purpose of lighting them up, &c., 
would present a mass of confusion; whereas, the 
most perfect system and ingenuity reigns through¬ 
out. These instruments, in clear weather, are gen¬ 
erally at work by sunset, but at any other time of 
the day an officer of the building will take pleasure 
in showing them to strangers. The west room con¬ 
tains a large transit instrument for determining the 
right ascension of stars, and connected with it is 
the magnetic telegraph, for the purpose of deter¬ 
mining the difference of longitude between any 
two places. When the lines are carried through 
all parts of the United States, this will afford the 
readiest means of ascertaining the correct longi¬ 
tude of every point—an event much desired for 
acquiring geographical knowledge. 
The south section of the Observatory forms two 
separate rooms, the north one containing a beauti¬ 
ful instrument called the prime vertical, and the 
southern room a circle of refraction, and instru¬ 
ment invented by Lieut. Maury, and apparently in¬ 
tricate in its numerous appointments, yet actually 
simple in principle, and mathematically correct in 
theory. Each room is provided with a very correct 
side-real clock, which is used in connection with 
the instruments during observation; these clocks 
have errors only the hundredth part or so of a 
second. 
The dome of the building is so fixed that it re¬ 
volves with the slightest movement, and through a 
slit in the top enables the observer to turn the in¬ 
strument on any object An ingeniously construct¬ 
ed chair, for the purpose of elevating- or lowering 
the observer, is worthy of attention. 
In the main body of the Observatory are the 
offices or rooms for calculating, the library for the 
use of the building, the room for nautical instru¬ 
ments, and a room for charts and nautical books.— 
The saving that has taken place in the latter arti¬ 
cles since the construction of the building would 
nearly pay for its original cost. 
Ilie southeast room in the main building con¬ 
tains all the chronometers which are supplied to 
our public national vessels, and they are regulated 
by a mean-time clock of great regularity, which 
stands in the corner. The facility 
for regulating these time-pieces, 
and the exact character that is at¬ 
tached to each chronometer when 
it is sent to a ship, renders naviga¬ 
tion more secure than it was in 
former times. This department is 
one of much interest. Before one 
of these instruments is purchased 
by the Government, it is required 
to be put on trial by the Superin¬ 
tendent of the Observatory for one 
year. During this period it is com¬ 
pared daily with the great astro¬ 
nomical clock of the Observatory. 
The temperature of the room is also 
carefully observed and recorded 
every day; and in case the instru¬ 
ment fails to come up to the test re¬ 
quired, it is returned to the maker 
at the end of the year. There are 
from sixty to a hundred chronome¬ 
ters always in this room, all of 
which are daily compared. Here also are conduct¬ 
ed the celebrated and laborious researches con¬ 
nected with the “ wind and current charts,” deep- 
sea soundings, tides and currents of the ocean, Ac. 
The house of the Superintendent is east of the 
Observatory, built with taste and at little cost, and 
adds very much to the sterile waste once called 
Camp Hill, which has become one of the prettiest 
spots in Washington. The details of labor con¬ 
nected with the Observatory are contained in the 
transactions of 1845, and are interesting as show¬ 
ing the amount of work done by a small corps of 
officers. 
There is at the Observatory a small equatorial 
instrument mounted out-doors, which can always 
be seen by visitors, and two comet-seekers kept em¬ 
ployed in clear weathar to detect the approach of 
these wandering luminaries. 
The grounds about the Observatoiy are not yet 
laid out as they should be. But when adorned as 
our other public walks about Washington are, they 
will become a charming resort to the stranger vis¬ 
iting the Metropolis. 
Written for Moore’s Rural New-Yorker. 
PRESERVATION OF BIRDS, ANIMALS, &c.—No. IX 
In skinning birds as large as a pigeon, or larger, 
after cutting off the first leg, slip over the part at¬ 
tached to the body, a running knot with string 
enough to hang it to a nail in the wall, as it greatly 
facilitates the operation. The flesh from the wings, 
legs and rump must be next removed. In small 
birds it may be removed from the inside of the 
wings, but in large specimens an incision must be 
made under the wing. Some species of birds will 
not admit the skin being pulled over the head, on 
account of the smallness of their necks, as the 
Wood Duck, and others, in which case a longitu¬ 
dinal incision is made under the throat to ad¬ 
mit the head being turned out, and this cut must 
be neatly sewed up before stuffing. Sew up all shot 
holes and accidental cuts, and your skin is ready 
for a coat of Arsenical Soap, made after the following 
recipe:—Arsenic in powder, 2 ff>s.; gum camphor, 5 
oz.; white soap, 2 lbs.; salt of Tartar, 12 oz.; pow¬ 
dered lime, 4 oz. Smaller quantities in the same 
proportion. The soap must be cut into thin slices 
and put into a crucible, with a very small quantity 
of water, held over a gentle fire, and frequently 
stirred, with wood. When properly melted, the lime 
and salt of tartar must be added, and thoroughly 
mixed. It must now be taken off the fire and the 
arsenic added gently, and well stirred. Reduce 
the camphor to powder, by beating in a mortar 
with a little spirits of wine, and again, well mixed, 
place it over the fire, to incorporate the ingredients 
properly, not heating too much, as the camphor 
rapidly evaporates. It should now be poured into 
earthen pots, and allowed to cool, after which it 
must be tied down air-tight, and is fit for use. To 
use the composition, take the quantity wanted and 
add an equal amount of water,.and lay on the skin 
with a brush of suitable size. 
As there are parts of the subject that cannot be 
touched with the preservative from the inside, and 
as it is necessary every part should be moth-proof, 
it is necessary to touch them on the outside with 
another preparation. Put a large teaspoonful of 
corrosive sublimate into a wine bottle full of alcohol, 
and let it stand over night. The next morning 
draw it off into a clean bottle; then take a black 
feather, dip into the liquid, and dry it, and if white 
particles adhere to the feather, it is too strong; add 
more alcohol, and apply this with a camel hair 
pencil to all parts not touched with the soap, legs, 
wings, bill, Ac. This may be used without the 
arsenical soap, but I prefer using the soap inside 
as far as practical. These are deadly poisons, and 
require great care on the part of the operator, to 
keep them where none but himself has access. 
The skins of ’Ducks, Waders, Ac., being very 
greasy, after they have absorbed the arsenical soap, 
require to be well primed with corrosive sublimate. 
The eyes are next finished by stuffing through 
the orbits with chopped cotton, to the proper sizo, 
and inserting glass eyes of the natural color. A 
little adhesive cement or gum water must be in¬ 
serted, to prevent their falling out, and it is a good 
plan to take a stitch with a fine silk thread, at the 
back part of the eye, and tie firmly, it will secure 
the eye, and properly done brings the orbit to its 
proper size. Put them in naturally, and not give 
them a squinting or bulging appearance, and 
arrange the eyelids with the point of a needle, till 
they are perfectly round. 
The bird is now ready to be put in position, and 
for this there is no rule. You must follow the 
habits of the bird. If it is a bird that perches, 
place it on a branch, and boro holes through it for 
the leg wires to pass through, at a proper distance 
apart, and turn the wire two or three times around 
the branch, and it will be secure, and you can, by 
bending the wires, place it in the desired position. 
Birds that do not perch, place on a flat piece of 
board. The stands on which you place your birds 
should be coated with thick white paint, and covered 
with smalt or sand. At this point a knowledge of 
the natural posture of the bird is of the greatest im¬ 
portance, as “A Lover of Nature," discovered scarce¬ 
ly any two birds having the same posture or habits. 
In some the wings cross over the tail, in others 
they fall under the feathers of the breast and tail, 
and again, others meet in the centre of the tail. 
When a bird is shot, all these points must be noticed. 
Good engravings will also assist, and here is scope 
for all the powers of the Naturalist. Having given 
the position you desire, take a strip of cloth and 
place under the breast, bring the ends gently over 
the back, and stick a pin through. This will keep 
the feathers in place while drying; but if you wish 
the wings raised a little, place under them a little 
cotton, omitting the band. Should the wing feath¬ 
ers become out of place while drying, give them 
a gentle pull; if a large bird, and you wish the 
wings extended, take two wires and insert to the 
extremity of the wings, passing them through the 
ring in the oval, and securing them to its side. If 
you wish it suspended, in the act of flying, secure a 
short piece of wire transversely across the back; 
attach a small wire, pass it through the skin of the 
back, and it may be suspended from the ceiling. 
In this position, draw the feet up close to the 
breast, and turn the head a little on one side. In 
most positions it gives more animation to turn the 
head a little to the right or left. You will require 
a pointed knife; pen-knife; round, flat and cutting 
pliers; a round, smooth stick or two, of different 
sizes, to stuff the neck; a pair of pointed scissors, 
and different sized awls and gimlets. Should the 
above be of sufficient interest, I will furnish another 
article or two on preserving insects, animals, Ac. 
w. v. 
Several communications on hand for this de¬ 
partment we shall endeavor to give very soon.— 
Some fine illustrations are also in the hands of the 
engraver.—Our articles on Preserving Birds, Ac., 
the youth are well pleased with. From letters re¬ 
ceived, we learn that several have already com¬ 
menced preserving specimens, and one Young 
Ruralist in Genesee county^very much regrets the 
information was not given before, as a few weeks 
ago he killed an old Peacock, that he would have 
been very much pleased to preserve, had he known 
how to do it. However, he has several left, and 
promises us one next fall, preserved in the very best 
stylo to ornament our office, and to speak his 
thanks, in glowing colors, for the information de¬ 
rived from the Rural. 
