MOUNTING REPTILES. 2U r > 



course the leg-irons must fasten underneath the pedestal by 

 means of nuts. The legs are made of tow, and so is the tail, 

 which must have in its centre a stout iron rod, cut about four 

 inches shorter than the end of the tail to allow for shrinkage. At 

 two or three points equidistant from the end of the tail, and 

 from each other, fasten a stout wire to the tail rod, so that win n 

 the specimen is finished these wires can be passed down through 

 holes bored in the pedestal, and used to draw the tail down 

 tightly and hold it there. If this is forgotten the tail will spring 

 up in spite of you, and show daylight underneath, which never 

 happens with the tail of a living saurian. 



As to attitude, one or two hints will suffice. A live saurian, 

 either crawling or at rest, nearly always carries his legs well up 

 to his body. Do not spread his legs far out, but bend them up 

 rather close to the animal's body, as if he expected to use them 

 to walk with. The body should always rest down upon the 

 ground. Give the tail two or three curves sidewise to relieve its 

 stiffness. The head should be held well up, but the elevation 

 should be given by the neck alone, with the head itself in ;>- 

 horizontal position, turned a trifle to the right or left to avoid 

 extreme stiffness in the attitude. 



"When your large alligator has been put together, suspend it 

 from the ceiling, bottom upward, and stuff the thick part of the 

 tail, the body, and the neck with straw. Begin at the end of the 

 tail, and fill and sew up until the head is reached. It is neces- 

 sary to use stout and very sharp glover's needles of large size in 

 sewing through the horny- hide of an old saurian, and the thread 

 should be the best of linen twine, doubled and waxed until it is 

 in the best possible condition for holding. Sometimes a skin 

 is so horny it is necessary to pierce holes for the needle witli 

 an awl. The shrinking power of a big saurian is something 

 fearful to behold, therefore prepare your seams accordingly. 



The centre-board of the body should be placed low enough 

 that two screw-bolts, six inches long, may be put through the 

 pedestal from underneath, and screwed into the board to bring 

 the body of the animal down upon the pedestal as closely us 

 possible, and also to hold it more securely. Of course, each leg- 

 iron must pass downward through the foot, and fasten v ith a 

 nut underneath the pedestal. 



