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of the bones. Seoop out the brains, with a stick or wire loop, and 
rinse out the brain cavity with water, but never cut or enlarge the 
natural opening in the back of the skull. Then hang up the skull to 
dry. In dry weather never leave a skull in the sun. Never boil a 
skull or attempt to clean it thoroughly while in the field, but allow the 
flesh that is not easily cut off to dry on the bone. If the lower jaw has 
been taken off in cleaning, tie it in place with a strong cord. Never 
put salt or other preservative on the skull. Salt or alum injures the 
bone. 
LABELING THE SKIN AND SKULL. 
Tie a strong label to the skin. It may be tied through one nostril 
and over the lip. On this label record the sex of the specimen, its 
number and measurements, the date and locality, and your own name. 
When labels are furnished by the Biological Survey they should be 
rilled as follows : 
Fiout. 
i Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. Agriculture. 
I Male. 
: I Vxais: Galvest o n, Man 5, W03, J. Smith. 
Back. 
Length 150 
Tail 75 
Foot W 
A strong tag bearing the same number as that on the skin, the sex, 
and the collector's name should be tied firmly to the skull. Use the 
utmost care to avoid mistakes in labeling skulls ; that is, label the skull 
as soon as it is shinned, and be sure that the number is the same as 
that of the skin from which it came. Extra skulls (those not accom- 
panied by skins) should be labeled with sex, locality, date, and col- 
lector's name. 
PACKING AND SHIPPING. 
As a rule specimens should be packed in boxes and shipped by express, 
charges collect. Skins may be sent in small bales covered with burlap, 
but are safer in boxes. They should be folded with the hair inside and 
packed down tightly. If skulls are shipped in the same box with skins, 
they should be well wrapped and put in a separate compartment. 
Straw, paper, or excelsior may be used for packing, but not cotton. 
Packages not exceeding four pounds in w r eight, if securely wrapped or 
sewed in cloth, may be sent to the Department by mail post free, under 
the Department frank. All packages, whether sent by mail or express, 
should be plaint marked with the shipper's name, and should be 
addressed: U. S. Biological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Wash- 
ington, D. C. 
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