CHAPTER III.
SKINNING AND MOUNTING MAMMALS.
When the beginner has once become proficient in skinning and mounting birds, he will have but little difficulty in "setting up" mammals. The same general principles are to be observed with each.
SKINNING.
Cut with the scalpel or stout scissors from the breast-bone down to the anus: sever the legs close to body, and treat both legs and head as given for birds.
Some difficulty may be experienced in skinning the tail. This is readily done if it be a hairy tail, by pushing the skin over the first two or three vertebræ, then seizing the stump with the left hand, pull, at the same time holding the skin back with the right hand. The bone will generally slip out as easily as a sword from its sheath; but if it will not come, tie a knot of strong cord over the end, and fasten to some support firmly. Then holding on with the right hand, as before, you can easily strip the tail to the tip.
MOUNTING.
Instead of three, you must now have five wires. Sharpen and sand-paper, as the former, and make a nucleus for body. The shape of an animal, with the neck severed from the skull, is like the italic f laid on its side (
