Directions for collecting and preserving animals; addressed ... to professional, scientific, and other individuals, with an invitation for contributions to the Museum.

  • Royal College of Surgeons of England. Museum
Date:
1835
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Directions for collecting and preserving animals; addressed ... to professional, scientific, and other individuals, with an invitation for contributions to the Museum. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    securely headed in, if the time and circumstances will not allow of maceration. To preserve the bones of an animal for a skele- ton, it is desirable that as much of the flesh should be removed as possible while quite fresh, without cutting or defacing the surface of the bones; and, if opportunity allows, it is advisable to soak them for several hours in water, frequently changed, to separate the blood; and the brain may be broken down and extracted by means of a small flattened stick, otherwise the skull will be discoloured. The bones should be allowed to remain connect- ed as much as possible, and, when dried in a tolera- bly straight position: they may be packed in saw- dust, or shavings of deal, or any other white wood, which will not cause discolouration. Besides an entire set of bones, it is desirable that a skull or two, showing the teeth in various stages of growth, be preserved. The teeth to be as per- fect as possible, and if any become loose or fall out, they may be fixed in their sockets with strong gum- water or glue, but never with paint or putty; or the loose teeth may be tied up in a piece of linen, and securely attached to the skull. Delicate specimens of skulls, or sets of bones, should be inclosed in small separate boxes, to pre-