274 Taxidermia. 
I.—Or Srvurrinc Quapkureps, (Mammalia.} 
Section 1.—Flaying, or stripping off the skin. 
The first thing to be observed is to close the mouth and 
nostrils, by stuffing in tow, so that during the operation no 
blood or other filth may exude from them, and tbus give the 
tor unnecessary labour in washing off the stains. For 
although this is not attended with the difficulties we meet 
with in removing spots and filth from the plumage of birds, 
still we must endeavor to guard against it as far as possible, 
because the washing out of such spots.consumes time, and is : 
a very disagreeable job. 
In order to take the skin off, the animal is to be laid be- 
hair, and there is but a very slight difference between the 
management of such as have horns, and such as have no 
horns. The incision in all these is made on the back, but 
on the contrary, such as are covered with prickles, or have 
armour, or scales, as also the whales (cetaceous tribe) are cut 
open along the belly. 
Before we commence stripping the skin, take some soft 
blotting paper, tear it into pieces, and moisten it with water- 
These pieces of damp paper we lay near at hand, and 
of them during the operation, for preventing 
‘any filth from attaching te the hair, by sticking them along 
little beyond the edge and keep the hair from touching the 
flesh, and thus getting soiled. 
The animal accordingly being laid before us (if of the hair 
re the shoulders, exactly upon the back bone, pierce 
skin, and draw it along slowly till you come to the cruppety 
