23« MR, C. BODEN KLOSS ON 



to tlie lowest point of tlie orifice : nevei- to the bottoQi of a lobe even 

 if that is present as in monkej's, tree-shrews, etc. ( Fig. 3 ). 



Ilecord these measurements, just as taken. Afterwards, at ease 

 in tlie study, it is simple to obtain the length of head and body by 

 subtracting the tail length from the total length. JJut among the dis- 

 romforts of the field keep things as simple as possible. 



Some directions recommeiid that the length of head and body 

 slioidd first be taken by itself and then that of the tail ; but the 

 method is not to be recommended as it is almost ir.;possible to 

 obtain uniformity and acnuracy bj' it. In the case, however, of a 

 few mammals like Jh/lomiis and a few bats, etc., it has to be resorteil 

 to, and the tail is best nieasiu'ed with the compasses. 



On the front of the label write the sex,' locality and altitude, 

 oollector's numb.?r, date, collector's name ; on the back the measure- 

 ments, collector's number, and any short notes desired. Fig. 1 will 

 show how it is recommended that this should be done ; the blank 

 space at the top is left for the name of the aniuial after it has been 

 critically examined. 



On the skull label i-ecord the sama number as on the skin, and 

 the collector's initials ; these details should be written in pencil on 

 liolh sides. Care should be taken that no ])art of this work is 

 overlooked ; neither a skin without its skull nor a skull without its 

 slcin has half the value of both properly combined. 



It is a good jiractice to keep in book form a register of speci- 

 mens with columns headed as follows: — 



Xumhcr. Local iti/ and AHiiiide. Date. 



Spflcies. )SVfr. ^feaslu•emellt!'. 



In this book are entered the same details as those recorded on 

 the label with, in addition, an a]i])ro.ximate identification of the sjieci- 

 nien. By means of it there is no waste of time in learning the last 

 number used, and an idea of the mammals i)reserve,! is obtained at a 

 glance. Any infoi-ination it is desired to record at length (colour of 

 bare skin, further measurements, habits, etc.,) can also be writ (en under 

 the specimen number. 



.^^Kl.WIXd TIM'. Sl'l':('lMl"..\. 



It will perhaps be best first to give directions for skinning and 

 making up a small mammal, such as a squirrel or rat, which will em- 

 body the general principles to bo carried out ; and to deal with 

 variations afterwards. - 



iiay the animal on its back, head to the right aiul ( if it has not 

 l)i«n gutted alr<'ady) with knife held edge upwards cut the skin open 

 along the middle line from the lower end of the breast-bone to the 

 vent. Be careful not to pierce the flesh of the abdomen, wiiicii is 



1 "Mule, t? ; femnle, 9 



-' r/r/c " .M isi'.'lhnienll^ " :il|il t'lllowint,' secliiilis. 



.Ml l(\. \,n-. ill.sT. SdC. .SIAM. 



