glass or earthen jars or large mouthed
bottles.

While most of the heads and skins of big game are preserved until they
can reach the taxidermist, many of the smaller specimens become a total
loss. Lack of time and knowledge are the chief causes of this loss of
valuable souvenirs of days out of doors and interesting natural objects.
Probably the easiest and least expensive method of temporarily
preserving entire the smaller animals, birds, fish and reptiles is by
immersion in the above preparation.

I would not advise its use on animals larger than a small fox or cat,
and to insure an immediate penetration of the flesh the abdominal
viscera should be removed from the larger specimens. The amount of
solution used should be about ten times the volume of the subject, and
it had best be replaced with fresh liquid after two or three days. I
think this will work equally well on birds, reptiles and mammals.

On removal from the solution they may be skinned and mounted as fresh
specimens. On removing from the solution, rinse in water containing a
little ammonia to neutralize the irritating odor of the formaldehyde. Do
not stand over the solution while mixing as the fumes of the formic acid
affect the eyes. The condensed form in which this chemical can be
carried and its cheapness (30c. per lb.), make it desirable as a
temporary preservative. The saying, "It never rains but it pours,"
applies to the taxidermist and a sudden rush of subjects may often be
saved by using the foregoing preparation. Other work may be under way,
or for other reasons it may be desirable to keep a specimen in the flesh
a short time before mounting.

ALCOHOLIC SOLUTION.

Alcohol (94% strength) Equal parts
Water

If alcohol is less than 94% use less water. Use same as formaldehyde
solution. This is said to be superior to the formaldehyde solution,
though more expensive and harder to carry about on account of its
greater bulk before mixing.

Specimens kept long in any liquid are apt to lose their colors. This
fading will be reduced to a minimum if kept in the dark.

In order to do any satisfactory work on quadrupeds the taxidermist makes
use of a bath or pickle of some sort for keeping skins in a wet state.
This pickle sets the hair and in a measure tans the skin, reducing its
liability to shrinkage and rendering it less desirable pasturage for
insects.

All furred skins of any size should be immersed in this for a time
before mounti