124 



TAXIDERMY AND ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTING. 



up until it fills out the hollow. If there is a lump of tow under 

 the skin, making an unsightly hump, thrust the point of the 

 awl through into it, and spread it out underneath until the skin 



lies flat. It is of- 

 ten necessary to 

 work all over the 

 body of an animal 

 with the awl in 

 this way. 



We have now 

 to finish the head. 

 With the cutting 

 pliers, cut off the 

 end of the body 

 wire close up to 

 the skull, so that 

 the end will be 

 hidden. Adjust 

 the skin so that it 

 fits naturally and 

 easily on the skull 

 and around the 

 mouth, and see 

 that the eyes 

 come over the 

 centre of the or- 

 bits. If the clay 

 which was put 

 upon the slmll 

 does not fill out 

 the jaws and sides 



of the head quite naturally, push in a little chopped tow until 

 the proper form is obtained. 



Avoid getting one jaw fuller than the other ; it is only boys 

 arid men who chew tobacco who have cheeks that are not bilat- 

 erally symmetrical. Avoid getting one eye too far back, for- 

 ward, up or down, but match the one that is correctly placed. 



Fill in the end of the nose, the lips, and the chin with clay, 

 fold the lips naturally and press them into place. If the skin 



FIG. 27. The Finished Specimen. 



