20 



collector's manual 



head. In large mammals, the ear cartilage has to be skinned out 

 carefully, leaving it attached to the skin (fig. 18). 



Common salt is the best preservative for fresh hides and scalps 

 of large mammals. Salt should be applied plentifully to the raw 



Fig. 15. — Opening cuts for skinning wolves, cats, and 



related species. 



side of the hide as soon as possible after skinning. Care should 

 be taken to work the salt in around the small bones left attached 

 to the toenails in the feet, as well as around the cartilage and 

 skin of the ear. When salt has been thoroughly applied to the 

 skin, the head with the ears turned hair side out should be 



