4 
HINTS ON TAXIDERMY. 
be obtained, the skin should be rubbed with salt or with alum, or filled 
with spices and strong smelling herbs. These are by no means a sub¬ 
stitute for arsenic, and are to be used only when the latter cannot be 
obtained. The skins of large animals should be soaked in a solution of 
alum, arsenic and salt, or in weak arseniated alcohol for several days. 
Directions for preliminary work. — When a specimen has been killed, 
the mouth should be opened, cleaned and filled with cotton or tow; the 
nostrils and vent, and any wounds should be treated in the same way to 
prevent blood or other secretions from exuding. It is essential to remove 
the skin as soon as possible after death. Should this be inconvenient, 
the internal organs should be taken out and the cavity filled with pow¬ 
dered charcoal if it can be had, if not, salt should be used. Previous to 
removing the skin, an accurate measurement should be taken of the 
subject in the manner indicated below.* 
The color and general character of the hair, as well as any change of 
the same at different seasons of the year, the sex, and any other peculiar¬ 
ity known should be carefully written down and preserved. Skins should 
never be packed for transportation until thoroughly dry; they should 
then be placed in a box containing plenty of camphor, having its sides 
and joints perfectly closed with pitch to prevent the invasion of insects. 
It is well to saturate the inside of the box with benzine before placing 
the skins within. Never allow a box containing skins to be placed in any 
damp place. 
Instruments and materials used . — Of instruments and materials useful 
to the taxidermist in mounting mammals, birds, fishes and reptiles, the 
following are needed: A scalpel, (a) ; a pair of pincers for bending wire, 
(c) ; a pair of wire cutters (&); a pair of small forceps for stuffing the 
necks of small birds and mammals and arranging feathers (e); a pair of 
larger ones, at least fifteen inches long, for stuffing the necks of large 
birds and mammals (A); a pair of dissecting scissors for cutting flesh 
and ligaments during the process of skinning (d) ; another larger and 
stronger pair for cutting tow; a large knitting needle inserted into a 
handle and sharpened at the end, for perforating the tarsi of birds pre- 
*The following are the general measurements which should be taken of a quad¬ 
ruped. 
Total length; nose to occiput^ nose to eye; nose to ear; nose to end of tail; length 
and width of ears; tail from root to end of vertebrae; tail from root to end of hairs; 
length of the different joints of the fore-legs; length of the different joints of the hind 
legs; forefeet from wrist; hind feet from heel; length of toes; length of nails. 
