cimens of animal
life than all other classes of people.

In view of this fact the following directions and suggestions for
preserving various animal forms as objects of use and ornament have been
prepared. As a treatise for the scientist or museum preparator it is not
intended, there are many books on the art expressly for them, but we
hope it may fill a place of its own, acting as a not too dry and
technical introduction to the art preservative for those who find life
all too short for the many things which are to be done.

Thoroughness, patience, and some love for nature, are qualities highly
desirable in this art. Work prepared by one possessing these qualities
need not be ashamed and practice will bring skill and perfection of
technic.

As a handicraft in which the workman has not been displaced or made
secondary by a machine taxidermy is noticeable also, and for many
reasons is worthy of its corner in the home work-shop.

In this work also the ladies can take a very effective hand, and numbers
have done so; for there is no doubt that a woman's taste and lightness
of touch enables her in some branches of taxidermy to far exceed the
average man. Especially in the manipulation of frail skins and delicate
feathers, in bird taxidermy, is this so.

I have endeavored to give preference to short cuts and time-saving
methods where possible in the following matter, and especially hints on
saving interesting and valuable specimens temporarily until sufficient
leisure is had to do justice to their further preservation. In this
connection I have given prominence to the liquid preservative for entire
specimens and the methods for preserving skins of birds and animals in a
damp and relaxed state ready for mounting at the operator's pleasure.

I would urge the beginner especially, to mount all his specimens as far
as possible. Dry scientific skins have their value, perhaps, to the
museum or closet naturalist whose chief delight is in multiplying
species, but a well mounted skin is a pleasure to all who may see it.
Making it a rule to utilize thus all specimens which come to hand would
also deter much thoughtless killing in the ranks of the country's
already depleted wild life.

Make this a rule and you will avoid friction and show yourself truly a
conservationist with the best. In a number of states there are legal
restrictions in the way of a license tax imposed on the professional
taxidermist. Detailed information of the