Protection methods for dried specimens

Dry preserved specimen is a comprehensive skill combining science and art. It requires a combination of basic knowledge of the subject, basic skills of dry preserved specimen and artistic quality of shaping. First of all, scientificity is the primary characteristic of dry preserved specimens. Each dry preserved specimen should maintain the integrity and authenticity of the individual or part of the animal and plant, and also reflect the ecological habits of the animal. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the basic knowledge of taxonomy of species, the basic knowledge of animal bones, muscles, and internal tissues of plants, as well as their living habits and basic knowledge of ecology.

Dry preserved specimen protection is mainly form preservation and color preservation. The deformation and fading of dry preserved specimens are mainly caused by the direct sunlight and atmospheric oxidation. The destruction of pigment by light is very obvious, especially ultraviolet light, which has a strong ability to dissociate pigment substances. Oxidation even in animal and plant specimens where the enzyme system is inactive, the pigment substances can still be oxidized, resulting in dissociation and slow discoloration due to the presence of oxidant in the specimen and the air. The dry preserved specimen also produces peroxides due to the decomposition of ascorbic acid, thus undergoing qualitative change.

Dry preserved specimens contain abundant organic matter, which is not only the most suitable food of specimen insects, but also a good medium for mold propagation. Therefore, the specimen protection should be responsible for special personnel, regular inspection, moisture-proof, insect-proof, light-proof; In addition, there should be necessary equipment, such as specimen boxes and cabinets. Specimen box with a wooden box or a paper box, in the box placed anti-specimen insecticides, used to repel or kill insects. The door of the specimen cabinet should be tight. In the small drawer of the lower part of the cabinet, hygroscopic agent and fumigant should be placed. The rear part of the small drawer should be connected with the whole cabinet, so that the internal gas will become flowing. Dry preserved specimens placed in the cabinet cannot be guaranteed free from insect infestation. Therefore, comprehensive inspection should be conducted every year. If individual specimens are found to be damaged by specimen insects, fumigation agent must be used immediately. If the specimens in the cabinet are moldy, hygroscopic agent should be replaced or added. For individual moldy specimens, xylene can be added to kill mildew. The conformal of dry preserved specimens is mainly to prevent the dried material from being dehydrated quickly, resulting in the formation of easy to penetrate animal skin or membrane cell sag and pressure sag resulting in the distortion of specimen shape.