12 



blubber should be removed, and a mixture of one-third salt 

 and two -thirds alum rubbed all over the fleshy side of the skin. 

 When this has been well done, place the skin in a barrel 

 with a quantity of the alum and salt above and below it, as 

 well as between all the folds. Turn it and rub it with the salt 

 and alum daily for four or five days, according to the size of 

 the animal, in order to ensure its being well cured. After 

 lying two or three weeks in the brine thus produced, it may 

 be taken out, sprinkled with more salt and alum, and packed 

 like a wet hide ; or if more convenient, it may be dried by 

 exposure to the air. When alum is not to be had, salt alone 

 may be used. 



The above metJiod is applicable to large skins of all kinds. 

 -To preserve the skeleton, cut off all the flesh from the bones, 

 but without separating them more than is necessary. Tie 

 them carefully in coarse strong canvas or sacking, and tow 

 them after the vessel, or otherwise soak them till the remaining 

 flesh has rotted off. They should be examined occasionally, in 

 order to tie up in separate bags the small bones of each limb, 

 before they become divided and mixed. This is desirable to 

 save trouble in afterwards sorting them, and to prevent loss. 



When the bones are quite clean, white, and free from grease, 

 they may be dried and stowed away, with a suitable label 

 annexed. Care should be taken to cut out from the flesh all 

 the bones, including those of the tongue, &c., and vigilance 

 exercised that none be lost.* 



When circumstances prevent either skin or skeleton being 

 preserved, the skull may yet be saved, and, if so, should by 

 all means be secured. The flesh being removed, it may be 

 cleaned by towing as directed for skeletons. If notes of the 

 sex, colors and measurements of the animal can be taken, they 



*An admirable skeleton of a half-grown Indian rhinoceros, prepared in the 

 above manner, may be seen in the Free Public Museum of Liverpool ; the skin 

 of the same animal was also preserved and cured in the manner pointed out 

 above. 



