American Moles, 



21 



SKINNING MOLES. 



The process of skinning a mole is very simple, and with a little 

 practice one should be able to do the job in five minutes, including 

 the stretching of the pelt to dry. The skin envelopes the animal very 

 loosely, showing considerable slack wherever handled. It is so 

 tough, too, particularly in the larger species, that it will stand all 

 the pulling necessary to remove it from any part of the body. 

 Perhaps the best tool for the work is a small, strong pair of scissors 

 about 4 or 5 inches long, with one blunt- 

 pointed and one sharp-pointed blade (fig. 

 15) . A pocket knife with a sharp-pointed 

 blade may be substituted for the scissors. 



Proceed as follows: With scissors or 

 knife make a slit in the skin down the 



. , ii 1 n P 1 • c FiCf. 15. — Scissors with one 



middle ot the belly from chm to root o± Munt and one sharp point, 

 tail, loosening the pelt with the fingers suitable for use in skinning 



T ^ ^ . -, ^ . .11 moles. These should be 



as you proceed, to avoid cutting through strong, as the bones of arms 



into the abdominal cavity. Now husk the l^^^^^^^ ^'^^ 

 skin from the body, using the cutting tool 



only to sever the legs at the ankles, the tail at the root, and the arms 

 at the wrists — all on the inside. After a little snipping at the con- 

 nective tissue about the neck and head, the skin can be pulled over the 

 nose and off the body entirely. 



STRETCHING AND DRYING PELTS. 



When the skin is off, pick from it any bits of fat that may have 

 adhered and snip off the dangling legs and tail in such way as not 

 to cut the pelt proper. Now stretch the skin on a board to dry, fur 

 side down, using common pins for the purpose. They are strong 

 enough, sharp, and do not leave holes in the pelt as tacks or nails 

 would. A light tack-hammer will serve to drive the pins, and a pair 

 of forceps with corrugated tips will help in the stretching, though 

 after a little experience one will care to use the fingers only. 



Hang the drying boards where the air circulates freely, but not in 

 the sunshine. In damp or rainy weather it is best to dry the skins in- 

 doors, placing them as far as practicable from any stove or other 

 source of heat. They will dry in a few days and, when stiff and 

 parchmentlike, may be stored away indefinitely, though it is not 

 best to hold them more than a few months to a year, as they become 

 brittle with age when not tanned. They need no treatment with 

 preservatives of any sort, but must be kept in a cool, dry place safe 

 from insects and mice. 



The European moleskins are stretched on drying boards in rec- 

 tangular form, four pins only being used. Some fur dealers in this 



