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INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING MAMMAL SKINS. 

 By C. Boden Kloss, k.z.s. 



I have been invited bj' the Editors to draw up in some detail 

 instructions for preserving the skins, etc., of mammals, fur the use of 

 those who wish to make collections. Tiiey have been written in the East 

 for tropical residents, and if some makeshifts have been recommended, it 

 is because it is impossible to send to a dealer and obtain a standard 

 article at two or three da3'3 notice. 



The business of preparing a mammal skin is really so easy, 

 that with a little instruction and iiractict^ it can be successfully under- 

 taken by any fairly intelligent individual ; so there is no need to feel 

 discouraged if at the first attempt it doesn't seem so simple, or the 

 result so good, as was hoped for. 



These instructions are to a great extent based on those drawn 

 up by Mr. Gerrit S. Miller of the United States National Museum. i I 

 learnt to preserve animals with an American friend whose collections 

 were reported on by Mr. iliUer, and who occasionally received from 

 the latter suggestions as to the preparation of specimens ; as I have 

 met with no better method than that with which I first became 

 acquainted I naturally propound it here. I have made, of course, 

 various departures trom the system advocated by Mr. Miller, and, in the 

 same way, any one who learns to skin from this article will eventually 

 evolve ways for himself that suit him better than mine do. 



There is naturally more than one method in practice ; for in- 

 stance some collectors take off skins by a cut made ar.ross the lower 

 abdomen : but I have described here one which seems to me as simple 

 to carry out and as productive of good results as any. 



The paper has been primarily written for members of the Natural 

 History Society of Slam, and there is one thing about tliat country 

 which should give encouragement and interest ; which is that it has 

 been investigated zoologically so little that there are still to be made 

 plenty of discoveries in which any enthusiast may have a share. 



APPAliATl'S, ETC. 



If the collection of mammals of small to moderate size is to be 

 undertaken, it is well to lay in the following apparatus and materials: — 



Scalpel or penknife. 



Scissors, one blade at least pointed. 



Small stone for shar]iening knives. 



Forceps 5 inches long witli rounded ends two or three millimetres 

 broad. 



1 Directions for preparing spccinu'iis of maininnls. I'artlVof Hnlli'liii 

 of the United States National Museum, No. 39. Third cditinn. revised. lOlL'. 



JOUU.N. .NAT. UlSX. SOC. SUM, 



