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CHAPTER VII 
COLLECTING SKELETONS 
PREPARATION OF ROUGH SKELETONS 
The collecting of skeletons, apart from the skulls, has been too much 
neglected by zoological collectors. The bones of an animal are very 
important to the zoologist, as they show the deeper relationships and mode 
of life far better than the outward parts. The bones of modern animals 
are necessary to the palaeontologist for comparison with the extinct animals 
of the past, which are seldom known by more than their bones. The modern 
taxidermist also needs to study the skeleton in order to mount his speci- 
mens properly, as the skeleton shows the possible limits of size and 
movement. 
Preparing skeletons is a simple operation, consisting merely of cutting 
away the flesh as cleanly as possible after the skin and viscera have been 
removed. Skeletal material can often be made from a specimen that 
is in poor plumage or pelage, or has spoiled so that the skin is not suitable 
for preservation. Saving the bones of such a specimen is a clear gain to 
science. 
In the science of osteology (the study of bones) skeletons are classified 
as disarticulated or ligamentary. Skeletons that have bones large enough 
to be drilled, wired, and bolted together in mounting are disarticulated. If 
the bones are too small or delicate to be treated in this way they are cleaned 
but left attached together by their ligaments. Birds, snakes, lizards, and 
mammals up to the size of a fox are generally treated as ligamentary 
skeletons. The following methods are used by our museum collectors, 
adapted from the directions of the late Dr. F. A. Lucas, past master of 
osteological preparation (1891, etc.). 
If possible, the sex and the usual scientific measurements of the animal 
to be treated should be taken. The date and locality should also be 
recorded. A catalogue number should be given to the specimen, and a 
numbered tag of metal, leather, wood, or strong manila paper attached to 
each separate segment into which the skeleton may be divided. 
It is ordinarily impracticable, though not impossible, to make a com- 
plete skin and skeleton of the same animal. If the species is rare or 
unknown to the collector, take the skin off as carefully as possible and pre- 
serve it for identification. Otherwise, remove the skin roughly and also 
all the internal soft parts. Do all the work with a knife, as hatchet or 
saw should never be used on skeletons. Be very careful not to cut the 
breastbone or any cartilages attached to it, particularly the disk-shaped 
piece with which it ends. 
If the animal is smaller than a fox leave the limbs attached to the 
body for convenience until the flesh is cut away. The quickest way is to 
cut the large tendons near the joints and then pull the flesh loose. Be care- 
ful not to cut the patella (kneepan) and leave it embedded in the large 
tendons attached to the tibia or femur. 
