[5] PREPAEING SMALL MAMMALS MILLER. 



of contact. By cutting carefully close to the skin, much fat that would 

 otherwise adhere to the skin may be left on the body. However the 

 animal is held, it must be remembered that all tension must he applied 

 at the line of contact between the body and the loosened skin; otherwise 

 serious stretching will result, and A stretch is far more serious 



THAN A CUT. 



5. On reaching the front legs draw them out from the skin and treat 

 exactly as has already been done with the hind legs. 



6. Slip the skin off until it binds at the bases of the ears. Cut 

 through these carefully (with knife) so as to injure neither skin nor 

 bone. (It may be found that the ears can be more readily loosened 

 with forceps or finger nails.) A short distance in front of the ears the 

 eyes will be encountered. Work the skin as far forward as possible 

 with the fingers of the left hand, and cut close to bone with knife held 

 in right hand. The membranes will thus be divided without injuring 

 the eyelids. Considerable practice will probably be necessary before 

 this can be done rapidly and safely. Cut away the skin from the skull 

 until the lips are reached. These are to be carefully separated from 

 the jaws and gums until the skin finally hangs attached by the nose 

 only. Cut through the cartilage of the nose, taking care not to injure 

 the delicate nasal bones or the skin of the muzzle, and the operation 

 of removing the skin is completed. 



7. Examine inside of skin and remove scraps of flesh and loose tissue. 

 Ordinarily nothing further will be necessary. The skins of many ani- 

 mals, however, are lined with a thick coat of fat. All fat must be 

 REMOVED. This can be done only by thoroughly scraping the inside 

 of the skin with knife and scraper. The free use of an absorbent such 

 as corn meal or sawdust will facilitate the process and protect the fur 

 from grease. Great care must be taken not to stretch the skin. After 

 the inside of the skin is properly cleaned it is to be poisoned. Dip the 

 skin in the box or paper containing the arsenic and turn it about so 

 that all parts are covered with the preservative. Dampen the surlace of 

 the skin if it is so dry that the powder does not adhere freely. 



When the skin is poisoned, turn it right side out. The simplest way 

 to do this is to reach in from behind with forceps, seize the nose, and 

 draw it out. Draw the feet and tail out to their natural length and see 

 that the ears are in place. If any blood has soiled the fur it may bo 

 removed by washing, after which the hair is readily dried by the us€ 

 of a stiff brush and an absorbent (preferably corn meal or sawdust)^ 

 Small spots of blood can often be removed, when thoroughly dry, by 

 brushing with a stiff brush (a toothbrush is best), without previous 

 washing. Very bloody specimens, or those extensively soaked with 

 fat, should be thoroughly washed both inside and out with soap and 

 water before poisoning. They are then best dried by the use of hot 

 sand or clean diy earth. 



If for any reason it is not expedient to make up a skin, it may be laid 

 flat and dried, after it is cleaned, iDoisoned, and turned right side out. 



