CHAPTER VII. 



MAKING SKINS OF MAMMALS. 



Section I. : Skinning Small Mammals. — 

 Lay the animal on its back, make an incision 

 about one-third of the length of the body on the 

 under side of the body from the vent forward, peel 

 down on either side until the knee-bones are 

 exposed, then cut the joint and draw out the leg, 

 at least as far as the heel. Remove the flesh, 

 cover well with preservative, and turn, then pro- 

 ceed thus with the opposite leg, Pull down to the 

 tail and draw out the bone by placing a stick on 

 the under side of it and pressing backward. If the 

 tail bone does not readily come out, as in musk- 

 rats, wrap the tail in cloth and pound it with a 

 wooden mallet, and it will then come out without 

 further trouble. Peel down on either side until 

 the front legs appear, cut off at elbow joints, and 

 draw these out ; remove the flesh, cover with pre- 

 servative, and turn. Skin over the head, taking 

 care to cut off the ear next the skull, so as not to 

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