22 



require it to be skinned by making a cut along the lower surface 

 or right side, nearly from one end to the other, and removing the 

 bone and flesh. It should then be sewed up again, after a previous 

 stuffing. 



f'or the continued preservation of hair or fur of animals against 

 the attacks of moths and other destructive insects, it may be satu- 

 rated with a solution of arsenic in water to be strained and applied 

 rather warm. A little strychnine added will be of much service. 



A free use of tobacco scraps among skins, though no security 

 against the attacks of insects, will be of use. Kreosote is also au 

 excellent remedy, though a disagreeable one. The Persian Insect 

 powder (made from the leaves and stems of Pyretlinim, and form- 

 ing the basis of the so-called magnetic powders of Lyon and 

 others), when fresh, will also keep off insects. Perhaps none of 

 these remedies, including ether, chloroform and turpentine, will 

 kill larvas ; they may repel the .perfect insect, but when the eggs 

 are laid, there is scarcely any remedy except exposing the skins to 

 a temperature a little below that of boiling water for ten or twelve 

 hours, and thus drying up the Q^g or grub. The best plan there- 

 fore will be to keep the skins clean, and not packed too tightly, 

 and in close fitting drawers or trays. (See also page 8.) 



3. REPTILES. 



The larger lizards, such as those exceeding twelve or eighteen 

 inches in length, may be skinned according to the principles above 

 mentioned, and then dried, although preservation in spirit, when 

 possible, is preferable for all reptiles. 



Large /ro^s and salamanders may likewise be skinned, although 

 cases where this will be advisable are very rare. 



Turtles and large snakes will require this operation. 



To one accustomed to the skinning of birds, the skinning of frogs 

 or other reptiles will present no difficulties. 



The skinning of a snake is still easier. Open the mouth and 

 separate the skull from the vertebral column, detaching all sur- 

 . rounding muscles adherent to the skin. Next, tie a string around 

 the stump of the neck thus exposed (see figure), and, holding on 

 by this, strip the skin down to the extremity of the tail. The skiu 

 thus inverted should be restored to its proper state, and then put 

 in spirit or stuffed, as convenient. Skins of reptiles may be stufl'ed 



