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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