MOUNTING SMALL MAMMALS. 



119 



force the end through into the nasal cavity and on out at the 

 end of the nose. Let the end of the wire also pass through one 

 of the nostrils of the skin for about two inches. Now put some 

 soft clay on the sides of the skull and jaw to replace the mus- 

 cles which have been cut away, and fill the orbits with the same 

 material. Anoint the skin of the head and neck with the ar- 

 senical soap, turn it back over the skull, and when the skull is 

 once more in its proper position in the skin, which can best be 

 determined by noticing whether the eye opening comes over 

 the centre of the orbit, drive a tack over each eye through the 

 skin and into the bone. 



Another tack at the top of the head will also do good service 

 in holding the skull in its place while the grand struggle with 

 the body is going on, for the head is the last thing finished. 

 Life is too short and space too valuable to allow me to explain 

 fully why all these things must be done, but if you neglect any 

 of these simple directions you will very soon find out why they 



were given. 



The legs and tail are wired and made, the skull is in its place, 

 with one end of the body wire passing through it, and we are 

 now ready to wire all the parts of the animal together. The 

 skin lies on the clean table before 

 us, right side out, with the legs in 

 the same position as when we drew 

 the outline. Bend the inner ends 

 of the foreleg wires back from the 

 head of the humerus at an obtuse 

 angle, and let them cross each other 

 like the limbs of an X, as seen in 

 the accompanying figure. At the 

 point where they cross each other, 

 turn a little ring in the body wire, 

 six inches from the end, just large 

 enough for the two wires to pass 

 through easily. For this purpose 

 you will find a pair of round-nosed 

 pliers convenient. Pass the end of 

 each foreleg wire through the ring, and lot them cross again, 

 with the wire of the left leg underneath the other. 



Fio. 2G. Wiring Together. 



