HINTS ON TAXIDERMY. 
5 
vious to the insertion of the wires (i) ; a tin sieve with a cover for dusting 
powdered arsenic upon the skin ( g ); a wide-mouthed jar, with a brush 
passing through the stopper, for holding arsenical soap (/) ; tow for 
stuffing small birds and mammals (the finest quality being used for filling 
the necks); also hay, dried moss, etc., for those of larger size; needles 
for sewing up incisions; thread for winding; a large fish-hook with the 
barb filed off, for suspending specimens while skinning them. Annealed 
iron wire of various sizes, varying from 10 to 26,—No. 10 being used for 
supporting large specimens, No. 26 for humming birds, warblers, etc. 
A fiat file of medium coarseness for pointing wire; a set of Aiken’s 
tools, containing various sizes of brad-awls; a small gouge, chisels, etc., 
will be found .very useful. 
Method of skinning a mammal. — When an animal is ready for skinning, 
the mouth, nostrils and shot holes, should be filled with cotton or tow. 
Place the animal upon its back, take the scalpel in the right hand and 
with the left separate the hair to the right and left in a line from the 
the front of the pubis quite down to the vent, so that the skin beneath 
can be plainly seen. Make a longitudinal incision along the course,, 
directed in as straight a line as possible, taking care not to cut so deep 
as to expose the intestines. The skin should then be turned back on 
either side with the aid of the scalpel, working downward toward the 
back. When the thigh has been laid bare sever it from the pelvis at its 
junction with the femur or thigh bone. Layers of cotton or tow should, 
