PRESERVATION OF ANIMALS AND INSECTS FOR CABINETS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 1112, 5 August 1871, Page 4

PRESERVATION OF ANIMALS AND INSECTS FOR CABINETS.

The following methods, carefully studied for two years, with results noted, by Mr. H. W. Parker are recommended for the saving of birds in warm weather until tho operator finds time to skin them ; for the permanent preparations of drawing specimens, where the student needs a large series of individuals to determine the variations and limits of species ; and for mounting- small birds, at least as tempo- j rary represenbatives, when neither the time nor the expense involved in the old methods could be afforded. The viscera are removed, to effect which neatly the legs ai*e pinned widely apart, and a paper several times folded is pinned over the tail in the direction whither the viscera are drawn out. With proper care the sex is rapidly observed. A wad of cotton absorbs the fluids remaining in the cavity. The leg is then grasped close to the body, and a knife or wire is introduced into the cavity, and run down into the flesh of the leg, working the instrument around, but not so as to break the skin. For a small bird, five to ten drops of the commercial fluid preparation of carbolic acid is made to anoiut the whole interior, and to penetrate the leg" by stretching and relaxing the same in proper position. The application is repeated after the first drops are obsorbed ; and a wad of cotten, wet with the acid, may be left close under the breastbone next to the neck. The cavity is then filled with cotten, and the skin drawn back^nto place. The inside of the mouth is to be well anointed, and a saturated wad of cotten pushed down the whole length of the neck. The eyes are removed by a hooked wire inserted into the ball, the head being so held that the humours of the eye will drop without soiling the lids. The moist lids are left as open as possible, and the specimen placed in a cool cellar till the next day, when the lids are dry enough to take their open shape. Then a nail is inserted through the lids and pushed through the bone at the back of the orbit into the. brain, and so worked around as to make a good opening. A tightly rolled bit of cotton satui-ated with the acid, is pushed into the brain, and worked in it, care being- taken not to wet the eyelids. If by chance the feathers are wet, the acid can be removed by powdered chalk, repeatedly applied. Specimeus so prepared in warm weather can be skinned a week or two after, if kept boxed in a cellar. No smell of decomposition is observed ; the acid gradually and completely penetrates the pectoral muscles ; the skin is strong and the feathers not loosened. For permanent preparation, the skin should be laid open from the abdomen to the neck, the pectoral muscles removed and replaced by cotton, and the incision sewed up. The throat, neck, and orbits are also filled with cotton. The specimen should then be suitably arranged, encircled by a slip of paper, and placed on a bed of cotton. Before this, the flesh of the wing should be laid open and arsenic applied in the usual manner. For mounting-, it only needs to rnn one wire through, the foot, tarsus, and so on through the neck to the forehead, and another wire through the other foot to any point in the back or breast where the end of. the wire catches firmly. Papers or strings for keeping the feathers in place should remain long. Some shrinking about the head and neck will evidently follow in the case of many birds, particularly those of the smallest size of the scanty or close plumage ; but in other instances no shrinking whatever can be noticed after more than a year of drying. The cabinet in which they have been set up is made insect-proof by means of pasted cloth and paper, putty and paint, fifteen inches passage way being left in front of the shelves and the only access being through a tight door at one end, fastened by a screw. Travellers, who desire to collect a number of birds for comparison, will find this method one of great advantage ; and the specimens will be better for study than sking, inasmuch as the proportions will be better preserved. Small mammals can be kept some days for skinning by a similar process, and an opeuing into the brain may be made through the roof of the mouth, if preferred. A fox squirrel, so treated, was in good condition for skinning after four days' preservation, in very warm weather. This, with similar methods of preparing specimens without skinning has been found of little use in the damp air of the Eastern States.

Hoixoway's Ointment and Pills. — Safely and Securely. — When the severities of winter have yielded to the genial spring, invalids should make a determined cUbi-t to regain thoir lost health, when through confinement indoors, want of appetite, and disturbed sleep, the entire s\ stem has beou weakened, and the spirits have been broken down, Holloway's remedies are equal to the occasion. The Ointment rubbed over the regions of th.c stomucb. aud liver, aided by the administration oi' his Pills, will rectify the digestion, regulate the bile, and purify the blood — three sanatory actions which will speedily confer renewed vigour, brace up the failin" nerves, confirm flaccid muscles, and restore to the ailing, cheerfulness, that great charm of existence.

MARA VILLA COCOA.— No breakfast table is complete without this deVciovs beverage. — The Globe says, " Various importers and manufacturers have attempted to attain a reputation lor their prepared Cocoas, but we doubt whether any thorough success had been achieved uutil Messrs. Taylor Brothers discovered the extraordinary qualities of ' Maravilla' Cocoa. Adapting their perfect system of preparation to this finest of all species of the Theobroma, they have produced an article which supersedes every other Cocoa in the market. Entire solubility, a delicate aroma, and a rare concentration of the purest elements of nutrition, distinguish the Maravilla Cocoa above all others. For homoeopaths and invalids we could not recommend a more agreeable or valuable beverage." Sold in packeis only by all Grocers, of whom also may be had Taylor Brothers' Origi ml Homoeopathic Cocoa and Soluble Chocolate. Steam Mills, Brick Lane, London. Export Chicory Mills, Bruges, Belgium.