The authors describe historic manufacture of parchment and transparent parchment, including surface treatment and coloring. The identification of parchment by species e.g. calf, goat, sheep, pig and deer by microscopy and electron microscopy is described. This is easier with fresh skin. Protein analysis to determine species with electrophoresis especially with antibody reactions has been tried. With Ultra thin layer isoelectric-focusing electrophoresis, it is difficult to isolate hide proteins in polyacrylamide gels to identify species, and specific antibodies needed cannot be bought. Carbon 14 dating of parchment (inexact) is possible using 1 mg samples. Accretions may effect the result. The ion accelerator - mass spectrometer can identify the isotopes. The reaction of parchment to RH changes is discussed cf. conservation. Adhesives and consolidants should not hinder the movement of parchment. A parchment strip can replace hair in a hygrothermograph to test it in controlled climate situations. Paper chromatography shows that damaging copper acetate decoration diffuses more readily into dense calf parchment (vellum) which has strongest capillary attraction. Parchments damaged by copper acetate can be treated using active (aqueous buffer) and passive (stable temperature and RH) methods.