MAMMAL SKINS FOR STUDY AND MOUNTING. 6G3 



opening-cut which has been made along the center of the body. In 

 preparing a skin as large as that of a buffalo or large polar bear, it is 

 best to cut off the leg-bones at the first joint above the foot, tie them 

 up in a bundle with the skull, and forward them with the skin, properly 

 labeled. 



In skinning the head of an animal having horns, it is necessary to 

 make an opening at the back of the neck. Make the cuts as shown by 

 the lines of the accompanying figure, cut completely around each horn 



Fig. 4. — Opcniug-cuts at back of head. 



at the base, and skin the head by working downward over the forehead 

 and the cheeks. The head-skin of a large mammal is the most difficult 

 part to remove and preserve successfully, and therefore the greatest 

 care is necessary in its preparation. 



PRESERVING SKINS IN A DRY STATE. 



Skins of mammals may be preserved dry for any one of the follow- 

 ing reasons : 



(1) For purposes of study, during which frequent handling and ex- 

 amination is absolutely necessary. 



(2) Lack of facilities for preserving in a soft state, which should 

 always, when possible, be the method of treatment for shins that are 

 to be mounted. 



(3) The necessities of transportation; or, in other words, when it is 

 necessary to reduce the weight of a collection to the lowest possible 

 limit, and divide it into a number of loads for carriage overland. 



One point in regard to study specimens must be constantly borne in 

 mind, viz, that any specimen which enters a museum may possibly 

 require mounting for exhibition, and all should be prepared in strict 

 accordance with the advice which follows, in order that successful 

 mounting may be possible in every case. 



A. — For small mammals, in any climate, varying: in size from 



* THE SMALLEST UP TO THE COYOTE. 



Preservation. — When the skin has been removed and cleaned, the 

 flesh ueatly cut away from the leg-bones and skull, the brain very care- 

 fully removed from the latter, and all blood washed away, anoint the 



