Methods of preserving botanical and zoological specimens useful to high school biology teachers

Abstract

Scope of Study: Many high schools cannot afford to purchase preserved materials that are invaluable as a teaching aid in biology; it is therefore necessary for the science teachers to furnish these materials. Local plants and animals give the student a better perspective of plant and animal associations in their natural environment. This report describes some of the methods of preserving botanical and zoological specimens, which may be used to create more interest and as a further teaching aid. It describes the methods of maintaining natural colors in the botanical specimens, methods of killing, fixatives or preservatives that may be used, protection from pest insects and different poisons that may be used. It describes some of the many ways in which to preserve the zoological specimens, some types of mounts that may be used, method of embalming, preparing skeletons, and how to prepare plastic corrosion preparations.

Use of the Study: These methods selected here are intended to be suggestive rather than comprehensive, and to be used as a guide to aid in preparing some of the rather inexpensive preparations of both botanical and zoological specimens.