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remove virtually all the flesh, sometimes within 15 minutes, leaving a good 
ligamentary skeleton without disturbing small bones like hyoids, pa- 
tellae, etc. 
The easiest, and in many ways best, way to collect small bird skeletons 
is to place the entire bird in alcohol (about 75 per cent strength), first 
making an incision in the abdomen to allow the alcohol to reach the 
viscera. Formalin dissolves the mineral matter from the bones if they 
are left in the solution for any length of time. If nothing else is avail- 
able, use weak formalin, one part of formalin to twelve of water, and 
remove the specimen as soon as possible. 
Fishes, Reptiles, and Amphibians 
Fishes, small reptiles, and amphibians arc best treated by preserving 
them in alcohol. If they arc not primarily intended for skeletal material, 
formalin solution may be used. Large turtles may be opened by sawing 
through the bridge which, at each side, joins the shell of the back and 
under surface, and the flesh cut away. As the bones are frequently soft, 
be careful not to cut into them. Fish may be cut open and the viscera 
removed. Cut away the skin, and beginning at the lateral line, scrape the 
flesh from the ribs, working towards the back. Pick away any loose flesh 
from the base of fins and skull, but leave the gills in place. Brush away 
blood and mucus with water, and soak the skeleton in clear water for an 
hour or two. The skeleton may then be preserved in alcohol, or dusted 
with dry arsenic and hung up by the head to dry. The pectoral fins 
should be spread alongside the body for protection. 
Packing Skeletons 
A skeleton, especially a small one, should be thoroughly dried, as a 
damp specimen may “sweat” and rot the ligaments that hold it together. 
With a specimen the size of a deer, it will be necessary to disjoint the 
backbone just behind the ribs in order to make a compact bundle. A 
larger animal may have the backbone separated into as many sections 
as convenient and the leg bones separated at each joint. There is really 
no limit to the subdivision of a large skeleton, as the bones will all be 
separated ultimately for cleaning. It is well to bear in mind, however, 
that small pieces are more apt to become lost. An axe or saw should never 
be used in disjointing skeletons of any size. By paying careful attention 
to the anatomical construction of the joints, the largest land mammals of 
North America can be readily taken apart with a skinning knife, without 
breaking or chipping bones. 
If necessary to reduce space, the breast bone may be separated from 
the ribs by cutting through the cartilage just below the bony end of each 
rib. The breast bone and attached cartilages should be carefully dried 
and preserved. The ribs can then be detached from the backbone, and 
when dismantled in this way a good-sized skeleton may be packed in a 
flour or beef barrel. 
Rags, tow, crumpled paper, etc., should be wrapped around the front 
teeth of deer and similar mammals to prevent the incisors from chipping. 
In fact, it is advisable to put some loose packing between the jaws of 
any large mammal. Boxes should be tight to shut out dogs, rats, and 
