120 TAXIDERMY AXD ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTING. 



Now refer to your outline, measure the distance between the 

 extremities of the toes, and it will tell you exactly how to adjust 

 the leg- wires so as to get the right distance between the two 

 ends of the humeri, or, in other words, the shoulders. The wire 

 between the head of the humerus and the ring 1 represents the 

 scapula, and, if rightly measured, will enable us later on to pose 

 the foreleg's with ease and success. 



Now, with the round-nosed pliers in the left hand, grasp the 

 three wires firmly at the ring, lay hold of the two leg wires with 

 the flat-nosed pliers and give two complete turns to the right, 

 twisting the wires together as tightly as possible. Bend up the 

 body wire to one of the leg wires, and, leaving out the other, 

 give these two a couple of turns. Take the other leg wire and 

 body wire and give them a twist. If the legs are now solidly to- 

 gether, it is enough, but if they are not, this twisting process 

 must be continued until they are perfectly firm. No looseness, 

 if you please. 



This done, straighten out the body wire once more, arrange 

 the skin as before, according to your outlines, and you will soon 

 see that the ring for the hind legs must be turned about five 

 inches below the first one. The ends of the hind-leg wires are 

 bent slightly forward (toward the head) from the ends of the 

 femora, and also cross each other in the ring. After getting 

 the hind legs the right distance apart, give the wires two turns 

 as before, then bend the free end of the body wire straight up 

 and over until it points toward the head. Proceed with it pre- 

 cisely as with the other leg wires until the hind legs are im- 

 movably fixed on it. Now give the free ends of the wires each 

 a turn around the middle of the body wire and thus fasten 

 all together, forming a backbone of twisted iron wire. 



The end of the tail wire must pass under the hind-leg wires 

 (as the skin lies on its back), and after giving a turn or two 

 around the wire backbone, tie it fast w r ith strong twine. The 

 tail must be as firmly fixed upon the body wire as though it 

 was soldered there. This done, wrap a goodly quantity of tow 

 tightly and smoothly around the wire backbone, so that the nu- 

 merous ends of wire, and the irregularities in the mass of 

 twisted wire, will not cause trouble when we come to fill the 

 body. Now that you no longer need to put your hands inside 



