uisites for the beginner in taxidermy are joy in working
out detail and a moderate amount of patience.

As suitable tools are the primary consideration in contemplating any
work in taxidermy, a simple list follows. In this list no heavier work
than the mounting of a Virginia deer head is dealt with. This outfit
will be found practical for general light use:

A pocket-knife, one or two small scalpels, a kitchen paring-knife, an
oil stone and can of oil, a hand drill, a fine fur-comb, one bone
scraper, one small skin-scraper, one pair tinners' shears, one pair five
and one-half inch diagonal wire cutters, one pair (same length) Bernard
combination wire cutter and pliers, one pair small scissors, two or
three assorted flat files, one hollow handle tool holder with tools and
little saw, one good hand-saw, one hack-saw, one upholsterer's
regulator, one pair fine tweezers (such as jewelers use), one claw
hammer, an assortment of round and furriers' needles, one or two darning
needles, a sack needle, and an assortment of artists' small bristle and
sable brushes (both round and flat).

Make your own stuffing rods, out of any size iron wire, by hammering
flat one end of a suitable length, filing teeth into the flat face thus
made, and then bending a loop handle on the other end. This type of rod
is easily curved or straightened to suit every need.

Those not wishing to buy at once the complete outfit named above will
find that they can do good small work to start on with the aid of a
pocket-knife, a pair of scissors, a pair of Bernard combination wire
cutter and pliers, needles and thread, cord, a pair of tweezers, a
hammer and saw, and small drill set.

Suitable materials follow the tools in order.

Arsenic is needed for the preservation of all specimens against moths.
This is most effective when used in solution, which is made as follows:
First dampen the arsenic powder with alcohol to saturate it quickly,
when water is added. Place the arsenic in a large metal pail and to
one-half pound of the powder add two gallons of water. Boil hard and
steady over a good fire until the arsenic is completely dissolved. Place
the solution thus made in an earthenware jar with closed cover, plainly
marked "Poison," and keep out of reach of children. Allow solution to
cool before applying to skins. Do not use the pail that the solution was
made in for anything else.

When using arsenic-water grease your hands with a little tallow, rubbi