368 The Book of Woodcraft 



that is attached to the skin, and dry in the shade. In 

 damp weather it is sometimes necessary to use powdered 

 borax to prevent the remaining flesh from decomposing. 

 Never put arsenic or salt on a skull. 



Remove all fat and tags of flesh that ^adhere to the 

 skin. In cleaning off blood or dirt that may have soiled 

 the hair an old toothbrush and a liberal supply of corn- 

 meal wiU be found serviceable. 



Poison all parts of the skin with dry arsenic (or better 

 still, with a mixture of powdered arsenic and alum in the 

 proportion of four parts arsenic to one part alum), being 

 particular to put an extra supply in the feet and tail. Put 

 a wire in the body, letting it extend to the extreme tip of 

 the tail, but be careful not to stretch the tail. Use annealed 

 iron wire of as large size as will fit easily into the tip end of 

 the tail. In rabbits, foxes, and wildcats put wires in the 

 legs also. 



Stuff the skin to nearly its natural size with cotton or 

 tow (never use wool, feathers, or other animal substances) ; 

 sew it up along the belly, and place it flat on a board to 

 dry (belly down), with the fore legs extended in front 

 and parallel to the body (i. e., not projecting sideways), 

 and the hind legs and tail directed backward. The 

 accompanying cut (Fig. i) shows the appearance of a well- 

 made skin. 



Attach to each skin a label bearing the same number 

 that is given the skull. On this label should be stated 

 the sex, locaHty, date of capture (name of month should 

 always be written in full), and name of collector. 



All skins should be thoroughly dry before they are packed 

 for shipment. They should be carefully wrapped in 

 cotton and packed in small wooden boxes. Cigar-boxes 

 do very well for the smaller species. 



Washington, D. C, March, 1889. 



