BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
41 G 
There are often one or two small bones on the back lower portion of the thigh 
bone; tliese should be left in place. In preparing the skeletons of rabbits, particular 
attention should be given to the shoulder-blade, as this has a slender projection at the 
lower end, which extends some distance backward. 
The male organ of many quadrupeds, as the raccoon, is provided with a bone. As 
it is dibicult to- say when this may or may not be present, it should always be looked 
for, and when found left attached to the hip bones. 
The skeletons of porpoises^ hlackfish, etc., are very easily prepared, but one or two 
points, such as the slender cheek-bones and the pelvic-bones, or rudimentax’y hind 
limbs, require special care. The pelvic-bones are so small and so deeply imbedded in 
the tlesh that they are too often thrown away. It freipiently happens that the last rib 
lies loose in the tlesli, with its upper end several inches from the back bone. This 
should always be looked for. There are no bones in the sides of the tail or flukes nor 
in the back fin, and they can be cut off close to the body and thrown away. The 
hyoid is largely developed in most cetaceans, and will be found firmly attached to the 
base of the skull. 
The tools required for making rough skeletons are a knife, scissors, and a few 
steel scrapers. 
To rough out a turtle it is usually necessary to remove the under shell, although 
some species may be roughed out without detaching it. In sea turtles and a few 
others the plastron can be cut loose by taking a little time to the oixeration, but in the 
more solidly built tortoises and most fresh- water turtles it is necessary to saw through 
the bone. The interior of the body being exposed, it is a comparatively easy matter 
to cut away the flesh. Usually this can be done Avithout disjointing any of the legs, 
and it is better, especially in small specimens, to have them attached to the body. 
Do not cut into any bones, as they are liequeutly soft and easily damaged. 
Snakes require very little care in their preparation after the skin has been 
removed, but in the larger serpents rudimentary hind legs are present and should be 
carefully preserved. Externally tlie legs appear as two little claws situated on either 
side of the vent; internally they are slender bones, about an inch and a half in length, 
loosely attached to the ribs. 
Do not try to skin through the mouth, but make a long cut on the under side and 
skin either way from it. 
Fishes vary so much in structure that definite instructions for ixreparing their 
skeletons can not be given, yet a few general remarks may be of service. Most 
species have two rows of ribs. Use the knife slowly and carefully, as the edge will 
often give notice of an unsuspected bone, especially about the head, Avhere there is a 
chain of bones encircling the eye, and the eyeball itself is often a bony cup. 
Occasionally there are two or three bones attached to the back part of the head, 
and a patch of tlesh on the cheek is about all that can safely be removed. When the 
skeleton is hung up to dry, iilace bits of wood between the gills to allow free circulation 
of air. 
Ordinarily it is better for the collector to preserve fishes in alcohol and not attempt 
to prepare skeletons. The same may be said regarding most small mammals, reptiles, 
and birds. 
The naturalists of the Albatross found useful auxiliaries for the preparation of 
certain classes of small skeletons in the amphiiiod crustaceans commonly called 
