TAXIDERMY 93 



to give those notes which will cover all the taxidermy 

 the sportsman and collector will require in the field. 



Where the head and head skin only are required 

 the method of procedure is as follows : — 



As the animal lies on its side, put the point of a 

 sharp knife through the skin at the extreme base of 

 the neck at the point where it joins the withers and 



Fig. 8. 



cut downwards past the point of the shoulder to the 

 apex formed by the collar-bone (Fig. 8). 



Repeat this on the other side and the head skin 

 is severed from the body skin. Never cut off the 

 head and skin at the base of the skull, and avoid 

 cutting the animal's throat ; it is not necessary to 

 bleed it — the bullet does that. But if, as happens in 

 parts of India, the natives will not eat the meat 

 unless it is bled, plunge the knife in at the apex of 

 the collar-bone ; this will not damage the head skin. 



