10 
HINTS ON REMOVING AND 
Antelopes, Carnivora, or Monkeys, the terminal toe-bones may be left 
in the skin ; but their complete removal is desirable in the larger 
representatives of these groups, as well as in still bigger animals, 
such as Elephants, Hippopotami, and Rhinoceroses. Special measures 
have to be taken with the three latter, but in the case of Carnivora 
and Monkeys the skin of the toes should be drawn over them by 
turning it inside-out, and the joints cut with the pliers where 
required. 
The next process is to turn over the carcase and draw the skin 
forwards over the head, when the separation of the ears and the 
severance of the closely adherent skin round the eyes will demand 
somewhat delicate manipulation. The conchs of the ears should be 
severed close to the skull, in order to avoid forming apertures of too 
large size in the skin ; and in the case of the eyelids particular care 
should be taken in order to avoid gashing the skin, since even the 
smallest slit in this region will tend to spread to a great extent, and 
thus cause almost irreparable injury to the specimen. The Hps 
should be cut off as close as possible to the gums. 
It may be added that, in the case of animals of the approximate 
size of a Fox, the skin of the tail may be stripped off entire, without 
slitting the under surface ; but for animals of this size not intended 
for mounting, see page 18. 
Having now removed the skin from the carcase, the next process 
is to cut away completely all fragments of flesh and fat which may 
have been left adhering to its inner surface. The cartilages of the 
ears must also be dissected out with the scalpel, by turning back 
the skin over them ; after which the inner surface should be well 
anointed with some preservative — powder, paste, or liquid. The 
scalpel must also be passed between the outer skin and the inner 
mucous lining of the lips, and the slit thus made well dressed 
with the same fluid. The eyelids have likewise to be thoroughly 
dressed with preservative ; and if necessary on account of their 
thickness, they should be slit open with the scalpel from the 
inside. 
The skin has now to be dried, which may be effected, if that of 
a large animal, either by pegging it out (without undue stretching) 
hair-downwards on the ground, or by folding and drying it in such 
