48 ZOOLOGY. 



clean from all loose skin, &c. should be rubbed •well -witll 

 the powder, this rubbing should be repeated occasionally 

 Until the skin acquires a considerable degree of dryness j 

 if the Animal be large, the leg-bones cannot be conveniently- 

 retained attached to the skin, but in all cases where it is 

 practicable, considerable advantage will accrue from their 

 preservation ;— this last remark applies also to the skulls of 

 the larger Quadrupeds, vehich should in all possible instances 

 be preserved, whether attached to the skin or not. Of such 

 Animals as possess soft or spongy feet, the soles may be 

 opened, and all the fat and muscular parts removed ; after 

 which, the powder should be applied plentifully, and before 

 the skin becomes hard or dry, the cavities of the feet should 

 be filled with cotton as directed for the head, and the inci- 

 sions sewed neatly up. 



When the skin is thoroughly dry, it should be so packed 

 as (if possible,) to exclude insects j the drying should be 

 performed in the shade, and the utmost vigilance is neces- 

 sary in observing that no skin be packed till it is perfectly 

 so : and to assist in drying, the skins should be kept dis- 

 tended, and exposed to the air. In skinning those Animals 

 that are furnished with abdominal pouches, it would be 

 better to open them longitudinally on one side, otherwise 

 this curious character will be destroyed ; and in all Animals 

 possessing glands for the secretion of Musk or odour, these 

 organs should be carefully preserved. 



As a collection of skins necessarily occupies much time 

 in procuring, to preserve them free from injury when 

 •btained, is aa object of the first importaace. In order te 



