File:The naturalist's guide in collecting and preserving objects of natural history, with a complete catalogue of the birds of the eastern Massachusetts (1873) (14565278777).jpg

Identifier: naturalistsguide01mayn (find matches)
Title: The naturalist's guide in collecting and preserving objects of natural history, with a complete catalogue of the birds of the eastern Massachusetts
Year: 1873 (1870s)
Authors: Maynard, C. J. (Charles Johnson), 1845-1929
Subjects: Taxidermy Zoological specimens Birds
Publisher: Boston, Osgood & co.
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries

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d of the rod inthe hole in the plank prepared for it (11); fasten it firmly.Now stuff the neck out with hemp to the proper size. Drilla hole through the hoofs, or bottom of the feet, into thehollow of the bones (2, 4) • force the rod (7, 7, 7, 7) upthrough this hole, through the stuffing of the legs, andfasten them into the plank (5, 6). Force a wire into thetail and clinch it firmly in the wood (15). By winding upgrass or hemp, imitate the various sections of the bodytaken out, and place them in the proper positions (16),making allowance for the plank and rods. Or a betterway is to take casts in plaster of the different parts andplace them in the proper position. Everything must be solid, to avoid sinkings and depres-sions in the skin. In this way the student can mountan animal of any size by increasing the size of the rods andplank. The ends of the rods must be fastened into aplank stand (10) by passing them through holes drilledin it (17, 17, 17, 17). THE WAY TO MOUNT MAMMALS. 53
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Plate IX. 54 THE NATURALISTS GUIDE. To mount a dried skin, first soak it in alum-water untilit is perfectly pliable, and then mount as before. Thewater should not be too strongly impregnated with alum,or it will crystallize upon the hair. About a quarter of apound of alum to a gallon of water are the proper propor-tions. If the skull has been detached, replace it, or makean artificial one of grass or plaster to take its place. Mam-mals that have been preserved in alcohol may be skinnedin the usual manner and mounted. To skin mammals for the fur alone, cut in a straight linefrom the inside of the knee of one hind leg to the other.Skin as before explained, only cut oft* the feet and detachthe skull. Stretch smoothly on a thin board, with thewrong side out. The skin should be lengthened rather thanwidened. CHAPTER III. COLLECTING AND PRESERVING INSECTS FOR THE CABINET. This interesting class of animals has for a long timeengaged the attention of students, yet it is surprising howcomparat

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