APPENDIX v.— HINTS TO SPORTSMEN 505 



than above, and that the native invariably proceeds on the contrary 

 supposition. Cut the sl<:in all along the back of the neck, as the head 

 beings hung up when mounted, the cut does not show. If the skins are 

 intended for mats, stretch them out on the ground and pin them down with 

 the long wire nails brought for the purpose, but see that the spot selected 

 is not infested by white ants. Pack the skins in the leather bags of the 

 country, but never leave a bag for long without taking the skins out for 

 examination and airing ; if, on inspection, any beetles are found, sprinkle 

 the skins with turpentine, and examine again in two or three days' time. 

 Directly the rains commence, redouble your vigilance, for it is then that 

 the beetle holds high carnival. There is no skin so large or thick but 

 what can be dried and brought home, provided you are prepared to give 

 sufficient time and care, and have the necessary transport. Never put a 

 green skin in the sun, and if a place does get a little tainted, use strong 

 carbolic at once. 



Skulls. — As soon as most of the flesh has been cut away, and the brain 

 scraped out with the special spoon, tie one of the brass labels to the socket 

 of one eye, the lower jaw, and each horn. When a few skulls have been 

 collected, boil them in the tub full of water, but only till such time as, with 

 a strong firm pull, the horns can be got off. See that the tub is kept full 

 of water, and that the fat is skimmed off the top, or it will darken the 

 horns. Have the remaining flesh scraped off the skulls, and then put them 

 out to dry in the sun, saw off the horn-cores, leaving i i to 6 inches, 

 according to size, to carry the horns, after which pack the smaller ones in 

 empty store boxes, the larger in leather bags with lots of grass. 



Tusks of hippo and wart-hog, and the teeth of lions and leopards, should 

 be covered in wax, or they will split ; only boil the heads of these animals 

 very slightly. The tusks of hippo and wart-hog will come out in course of 

 time ; do not try to boil them out. 1 have found that boiling any skulls 

 does them no harm if not carried on for too long, while getting the horns 

 off, which it renders possible, makes a tremendous difference in packing, 

 and saves the latter from injury. Most important of all, boiling keeps 

 away that pest, the bacon-beetle. Never put skulls and skins in the 

 same load, and in camp keep them as far from each other as possible. 



If possible see the trophies packed at the coast yourself, all skins being 

 well drenched with turpentine, and the skulls put in separate boxes with 

 plenty of packing ; then, if they go in the same ship as yourself, they should 

 reach home without further injury. Large horns carried separately should 

 have the bases stuffed with grass, and sewn over with green sheep-skin, or 

 they will get badly chipped. It saves a lot of trouble in loading and risk 

 of loss if they are kept tied in bundles, but this is not easy to do. 



