iKiSTRUCTlONS FOR PREPARING MAMMAL SKINS. 241 



aimed at is imiformity in the appearance of animals of a kind ; the 

 sides should be jiarallrl, tlie head and back of tlie snme level thronf^hout, 

 and the head and neck together of about the same diameter. (Figs. 4 

 and 5). 



Tlie specimen should now be ready fur placing in a tray. 



Pinning out and Drying. 



Place tlie paws close to tlie head and press pins thiinugh th-em 

 firmly into the tray 5 pin down the legs in the same manner, parallel to 

 the tail. See that each pair of limbs is drawn out to tho same extent, 

 that the digits are close together and that the claws do not stick out 

 npwarfls or sideways. If'tlie tail will not lie correctly by itself, a few 

 Jjins, crossed above it in pairs, will •cause it to do so. 



Long ears like those of rats and flying-fo.xes should be pressed 

 back on to tlie head or neck and held in place until dry bv a band of 

 paper across the head with tiie ends pinned down outside the forelegs. 

 (Figs. 4 and 6). 



Animals with eai'S lilve sq\iirrels in which both sides are furred, 

 ^ihould have one eai* pressed against the crown and the other bent down- 

 wards so that tlie colour of front and back surfaces can bo seen at 

 a glance, Wlien the specimeii is pinned out it may be given a final 

 smoothing and shajiing. 



All inaninials .should dry somewhat fi ittened, which is the re.a- 

 son that trays of various depths have been tvcomniended, as when the 

 ajiecimens are put away for the nitjht the necessarj' pressure will be 

 given by the tray above them. For shrews, pygmy-squirrels, and mice, 

 trays of an inch in depth are almost more than sufficient, while even 

 tho largest mammals that the collector is likely to pin out for drying 

 (civets, giant-.s<|uirrels, mouse-deer), should not be more than two and 

 a half inches in depth from back to bdly. An inch-and-a-half tray is 

 suitable for the niajurity of small mammals. 



It is not advisable to expose skins to direct sunlight if con- 

 ditions will permit of drying less drastically, as such treatment often 

 causes them to warp and buckle : cover them with a thin cloth or sheet 

 <'>f ])aper. However in very damp situations one is glad to dry specimens 

 by an}' means available and |>eriod.s of sunshine must be made the 

 most of. If they have to be dried above fire take care that they don't 

 get discoloured by smoke ; it is a go )d plan to dry small skins pinned 

 separately to bits of board and well wrapp -d up in paper, while larger 

 ones can be wrapped in a cloth. 



When the skins are (piite dry, unpin them, and if they are to 

 go on a long journey. \\ rap each small one separately in paper, 



MtsrKi,i..vM:ofrt. 



In making "cased'' skins of ungidates it is necessaiy to slit up 

 the Ijacks of the legs for .some inches abo\ e the bases of the hoofs, as 



vol. II. M.U 1'.'I7. 



