THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
193 
Plaster of Paris, powdered chalk, or whiting will be found of much use in 
skinning specimens that are very fat or bloody, by being applied to the inside 
of the skin, as it quickly absorbs the grease and blood. 
Specimens of birds from all parts of the world are much wanted for the 
collection of skins to be arranged in cabinets ; no matter how common or 
plain in plumage a bird may be it should be preserved, for although common 
in one locality it may be very rare in others. 
Fish and Reptiles. 
All the smaller ones are best preserved in spirits, following the directions 
under the head of mammals; the larger ones should be skinned, and if con¬ 
venient, then placed in spirits; when that cannot be done, they should be 
well dried and packed in boxes, occasionally giving them a sprinkling with 
spirits of turpentine. 
Insects. 
In this branch the Institution collection is very deficient, donations from 
all parts of the world will be thankfully received. Beetles will give but little 
trouble in collecting or preserving, the best plan is to put them in wide 
mouth bottles with spirits, not crowding the bottles too much; they may be 
sought for in damp places, under stones, in the bark of trees, dung, in the 
bodies of dead animals, and in stagnant water. 
Butterflies, bees, wasps, &c., if packed in layers of soft paper, or cotton, will 
travel quite safely: as the setting of these is attended with some trouble and 
cannot be always done at the time of capture, it is as well to know that they 
can be relaxed and properly set, upon their arrival in this country. 
Shells, Coral, Sfc. 
Any from Australia or New Zealand will be of value to the Institution 
collection; land shells from all quarters will be of much interest. 
Birds' eggs if well authenticated would be highly prized, but if there should 
be any doubt on this point they are of little value. 
THE FOLLOWING NOTES ON THIS SUBJECT HAVE BEEN KINDLY 
FURNISHED BY Mr J. K. LORD, F.Z.S. 
Birds. 
An efficacious mode of preserving their skins is by means of a piece of 
common yellow soap and arsenic in powder. 
Work up a lather first, just as for shaving, with a sash-tool, dip the brush 
covered with lather into the arsenic, and well rub it into the skin. The 
camphor is best sewn up in the skin in small pieces. 
A solution of bi-chloride of mercury should always be kept for washing 
over bill, feet, and rump. 
