BULLETIN 39, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. [4] 



This precaution is especially important with rats, mice, shrews, and 

 rabbits, or with any specimens that must be kept over night before skin- 

 ning.^ 



1. Prepare two labels, one for the skin, the other for the skull. On the 

 skin label record : (a) Number, (6) sex,^ (<?) locality, {d) date, (e) name of 

 collector, (/) total length (tip of nose to tip of tail bones, animal 

 stretched straight), {g) tail (turn tail at right angles with back, and 

 measure with dividers from angle to tip), (/() hind foot from heel to most 

 distant claw tip. 



All measurements to be made exclusive of hair. They 

 should be recorded in millimeters. 



On the skull label record: (a) Same number as that on skin; (6) 

 collector's name or initials. Both labels should be made of strong 

 paper, and the writing on the skull label should be in pencil (heavily 

 marked) or waterproof ink. 



2. Lay the animal on its back. Make an incision in median line of 

 belly, running from shortly behind breastbone to base of tail. Work 

 the skin loose at one side until a hind leg is exposed. Push the leg 

 from the outside and pull it from the inside, at the same time stripping 

 back skin until loosened as far as heel. Then, if the animal is smaller 

 than a red squirrel, cut oft" the leg (with scissors), flesh, bone, and all, 

 a little above heel, taking care not to injure the skin. In larger animals 

 the flesh should be cut through to the bone at heel and stripped 

 ujDward to knee, where the bone is to be disjointed. The same course 

 may be followed with smaller specimens, but it takes more time, with- 

 out materially improving the result, except when the specimens are 

 intended for mounting. In animals the size of a sMmlc, or larger, the 

 process of sldnning should he continued to the toes, and the flesh removed 

 from the foot, the bones of which are to be left in place. Eepeat the 

 process with the other leg. 



3. After the hind legs are finished, skin around base of tail and 

 across rump. Then seize the tail bone lightly with forceps or a split 

 stick held close against the skin with the left hand, and with the 

 right hand draw the bone out of the skin. The fingernails of the left 

 hand will often prove more convenient than forceps for stripping the 

 tail. This process may be troublesome at first, but it presents no real 

 difficulty except in the case of some large long-tailed animals. 



4. Hold the body by the hind quarters grasped in the right hand, 

 and with the fingers of the left hand drawing with an equal pressure 

 on all sides simultaneously, slip the skin back until the front legs 

 appear. With larger specimens it may be more convenient to hold the 

 skin in the left hand and let the body dangle over the edge of the 

 table, while with the right hand the skin is loosened around the circle 



1 It is probable that specimens may be temporarily preserved \>j keeping them 

 exposed to the fumes of strong formalin in some tight receptacle. This method 

 should be tested. 



2 ^ = male, 9 = female. 



