PRESERVATION OF SKINS, HEADS, AND HORNS. 225 



A still better method of drying the skin is to stretch it on a large wooden frame 

 on the same system as that used by ladies for stretching their canvas for worsted work. 

 The edges of the skin should be laced to the frame by small iron hooks attached to 

 stout cord.* 



Second — Let it next be supposed that a Bara Sing stag has been shot, and that it is 

 proposed to preserve it entire. 



Lay the stag on his back and divide the skin of the belly from the centre of the 

 breastbone to the root of the tail ; and it will aid matters if you also make two incisions 

 a few inches long down the inside of the thighs, but these are not absolutely neces- 

 sary. 



Proceed with the skinning in exactly the same manner as in the case of the Tiger, 

 until the skin is separated from the flesh as far as can be done without further cutting. 

 Then amputate one of the hind-legs at the hip joint, skin it as far as possible below the 

 hock, turning the skin inside out like a stocking. Strip the whole of the flesh from 

 the bones, scraping them perfectly clean, and then proceed to skin the tail and 

 to treat the other hind-leg in the same manner as the first one. 



Next turn the stag over on his belly, pull the skin forward over the shoulders, and 

 separate both fore-quarters from the body. 



Continue to skin the neck until the base of the skull is exposed, and then sever it at 

 the last vertebra. 



The fore-legs may now be skinned as far as possible below the knees, and all flesh 

 removed from the bones, which must remain intact, with the exception of the scapulae or 

 shoulder blades, which are not absolutely required. 



The skull has now to be removed from the skin ; in order to do which a longitudinal 

 incision must be made in the nape of the neck as far as the base of the horns, between 

 which another cut must be made. The skin has now to be detached from the back of the 

 skull, the ears severed at the roots, and the skin carefully cut away from the inside round 

 the base of the horns. 



The skull is now pulled through the opening in the back of the neck, and the skinning 

 proceeds until the lips and cartilage of the nose are detached and the skin remains like an 

 empty glove. 



It must be cleaned with as much or even more care, than if it was merely intended for 

 a mat ; and the feet and lower parts of the legs still remain to be disposed of. 



Inserting the point of a knife between the heels, make an incision up the back of the 

 leg nearly as high as the knee in the fore, and as the hock in the hind-leg. Dissect 



* Since the above went to press, Mr. Sanderson, the well-known author of " Thirteen Years among the Wild Beasts of 

 India," has published a detailed description of a frame such as I have advocated. The only drawback to his invention 

 appears to be its great weight. This is, of course, of little importance when plenty of Elephants are available for 

 transport ; but those who have not the facilities at Mr. Sanderson's command can probably improvise a rough wooden 

 frame which will answer the purpose. 



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