MAMMAL SKINS FOR STUDY AIN'D MOUiNTlNG. G63 



openiug-cut which has been made aloug the center of the body. In 

 preparing a skin as hirge as that of a buffalo or hirge pohir bear, it is 

 best to cut off' the leg-bones at the first joint above the foot, tie them 

 up in a bundle with the skull, and forivard them icith the slcin, properly 

 labeled. 



In skinning the head of an animal having horns, it is necessary to 

 make an opening at the back of the neck. Make the cuts as shown by 

 the lines of the accompanying figure, cut completely around each horn 



Fig. 4. — Opeuiug-Ruf s at buck of liead. 



at the base, and skin tlie head by working downward over the forehead 

 and the cheeks. The head-skin of a large mammal is the most difficult 

 part to remove and preserve successfully, and therefore the greatest 

 care is necessary in its preparation. 



PRESERVING SKINS IN A DRY STATE. 



Skins of mammals may be preserved dry for any one of the follow- 

 ing reasons : 



(1) For purposes of study, during which frequent handling and ex- 

 amination is absolutely necessary. 



(2) Lack of facilities for preserving in a soft state, which should 

 always, when j^ossible, be the method of treatment for skins that are 

 to he mounted. 



(3) The necessities of transportation; or, in other words, when it is 

 necessary to reduce the weight of a collection to the lowest ]>ossible 

 limit, and divide it into a number of loads for carriage overland. 



One point in regard to study specimens must be constantly borne in 

 mind, viz, that any specimen which enters a museum may possibly 

 require mounting for exhibition, and all should be prepared in strict 

 accordance with the advice which follows, in order that successful 

 mounting may be possible in every case. 



A. — For small mammals, in any climate, VAllYlNCf IN SIZE FROM 

 THE SMALLEST UP TO THE COYOTE. 



Preservation. — When the skin has been reinov<Ml and cleaned, the 

 flesh neatly cut away from the leg-bones and skull, the brain very care- 

 full^' removed from the latter, and all blood washed away, anoint the 



