Skip to main content

Cleaning Skulls and Skeletons: A Supplementary Note

Authors
F. Harvey Holden
Journal
Condor
Volume
18
Issue
6 (November-December)
Year
1916
Pages
231
Section
From Field and Study
Online Text

Cleaning Skulls and Skeletons: a Supplementary Note

Since the publication of the description of the process of cleaning skulls and disarticulated skeletons two years ago (CONDOR, xvr, 19 4, pp. 239·241), different re-agents have been tested to replace in whole or in part the solutions described. These experiments have resulted in one change, only. In place of the arbolic Acid, substitute Cresylic Acid {Cresol, C6 H4 CH3 0H): one part Cresol in place twenty-five to fifty parts of Catbolic Acid. One-half ounce of Cresylic: Acid has been found to be sufficient for a solution containing two quarts of ammonia and six gallons of water. No harmful effects have been caused by the use of a very concentrated solution of Cresol. Cresol costs about thirty-five cents a pound, thus making its use more economical than that of Carbolic Acid.

F. Harvey Holden

Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley

Advanced Search