18 WILD MEN AND WILD BEASTS. 



veloped in paste to prevent bleaching by the hot water. The 

 nose bones should be carefully looked after, and, if loose, 

 should be fastened in with glue. If wanting, the appearance 

 of the head is much spoiled. Deer-skins should be pegged 

 out in the shade, hair downwards, with wooden pegs, and 

 rubbed over with finely-powdered alum. 



Tiger, panther, and bear skins require more attention. 

 The beasts may be killed at a distance from home, or in such 

 a locality that they cannot be carried out without much 

 difficulty and probable injury to the skin. In such a case 

 they can be skinned on the spot, and the carcass left on the 

 ground. When shot, a tiger should never be allowed to lie 

 on hot ground or rocks in the sun. The heat is so great, 

 that it will soon blister off the hair, and a good skin may 

 be lost. It should be moved very carefully, and never dragged 

 on the ground or over rocks. When tied on an elephant, care 

 should be taken to prevent the ropes from chafing, or the hair 

 will be rubbed off. 



Tigers should be skinned on the same day that they are 

 shot. The after appearance of the skin will greatly depend on 

 the manner in which it is taken off. The hunter should him- 

 self superintend this part of the business, or only entrust it 

 to one of his men whom he may have previously instructed. 

 The cutting should be done by his own hand as follows : 



1st. Place the beast on his back, and cut the skin from the 

 lower lip to the point of the tail. This cut should open the 

 tail to its extreme point, beyond the last joint, else the tip is 

 apt to go bad, and the hair will come out. 



2d. Cut the skin down the middle of the ball of the fore 

 paws, and so down the leg to the middle of the chest. 



3d. Cut the skin from the inside of the ball of the hind 

 feet, inside the hock and up the middle of the inside of the 



