PRFSFRWiTfOX OF MAMMAL SKIXS 



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salt or otlu'i' i)r('scr\ali\ c> is soiiictimrs iit'C'cssarx . Witli tliis inctluKl of 

 drying, the skin must Uc pegged or stivtclird out pcrt'cttly Hat, although 

 such pegs or rt)i)es often eause ugly holes or distort the skin so that there 

 is ilillieulty in restoring it to its natural sha])e. In the ease of a \ahialih' 

 specimen Avhen no other means are availalde, this method is hetter than 

 none. 



Salt is a great aid in softening the skin when finally to he prepared 

 for mounting. That which has remained in the tissues readily ahsorhs 

 the water in which the skin is ptit to soften and the time thus consumed 

 in the process is very short. With a sun-drietl skin, on the other hand, it 

 will sometimes be days hefore the heaxier parts are thoroughly soaked, and 

 meanwhile the thinner portions nmst also remain wet and riui the danger of 

 the decomposition which will cause the hair or epidermis to "slip." It 

 would naturally he supposed that dried skins coidd he softened in salted 

 water, which would at the same time act as a preservative. This, however, 

 is not the case. A skin will soften onlv in fresh water. 



Fliotoyrnph by Kermit Roosevelt Copyright by Charles Seribner's Sons 



Ciroup of skin-larlen miilos passing; by tin- IJondoni watcrliolc on tho way to the railroad 



