CLEANING AND MOUNTING SMALL SKELETONS. 2!):> 



FIG. 71. Wiring a Skeleton Wing. 



as mice, shrews, small squirrels, and the like, that can safely be 

 mounted without standards. To be sure, a large cat skeleton 

 run, be mounted on its own legs, without any standards, and so 

 can a man drink a pint of bad whiskey ; but in each case the 

 falling from grace will be in about the same degree, if not the 

 same in kind also. In long-continued moist weather, liga- 

 ments are apt to soften and let large unsupported skeletons 

 come down, without neatness, 

 but plenty of despatch. 



BIEDS. The foregoing 

 principles, which have been 

 described in detail for small 

 mammals, apply so fully and 

 with such complete general 

 similarity to birds, that it is 

 only necessary to add the two 

 accompanying illustrations. 



EEPTILES. Serpents. - - The 

 skeletons of serpents should 

 always be scraped and mount- 

 ed as liganientary specimens, and not macerated. The skeleton 

 should be supported on from three to five low brass standards 

 clasping the vertebral column at proper intervals, the body 

 curved naturally, and the ribs spread out and spaced evenly 

 as in life, according to the curves of the body. The skeleton 

 looks best when placed low down on the pedestal. The ribs 

 must be spaced with threads where the ligaments are soft, but 

 Avhen dry require no wires. The skeleton may be mounted in 

 any life-like attitude, either coiled or in motion. 



Lizards. Small species are to be treated the same as small 

 mammals. 



Crocodiles and AUujators. It is best that all saurian skele- 

 tons, even the largest, should be scraped and mounted without 

 maceration, on account of the elaborate cartilaginous sternum 

 and false ribs. The head requires a special standard, and the 

 tail requires a pair, while the tip of the latter is to be pinned 

 down with a wire. Of course the feet must rest down on the 

 pedestal as in life. One thing which Avould greatly enhance the 

 scientific value of every crocodile and alligator skeleton would 



