6 NATURALISTS' ASSISTANT. 



are to be treated in the same manner, and, having been 

 wrapped with tow, are returned to their places. The skull is 

 next pulled out through the neck and freed from fat and flesh 

 and the brain removed through the opening behind. In 

 some cases it may be necessary to enlarge this opening by 

 breaking away the adjacent bone, but this course should be 

 avoided as much as possible, as the skull, from a scientific 

 standpoint, is ot as much value as the skin, and should 

 the latter by any means become destroyed (by no means an 

 uncommon occurrence), the specimen will still retain a 

 scientific value. It is well, when possible, to remove the 

 skull entirely from the skin and macerate it in water until 

 the flesh is removed, and the brain so decomposed as to be 

 readily shaken out of the opening. It is sometimes desirable 

 to preserve the skull and the skin separately, and at such times 

 a rough model of the skull may be made of plaster of Paris, 

 and placed in the skin, while such disposition is made of the 

 skull as may be desired. Should the skull be returned to the 

 head, the place of all flesh removed should be filled by 

 tow. A wire wrapped with tow may be inserted in the tail, 

 while the body is distended to something like its original 

 shape by the same material. 



BIRDS. 



A paper ring is made fitting tightly around the body ; this 

 is preserved as a measure of the proper size and is used 

 farther on. This ring is then removed, the bird laid on its 

 back, with the head pointing obliquely from the operator to- 



