298 



TAXIDERMY AND ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTING. 



Unstring the vertebrae from the wire. Then take a square 

 rod of iron, a foot or so longer than the" spinal column, and 



over which each of the vertebra will fit easily. 

 Have the blacksmith flatten out one end into 

 a sort of spear, so that it will fit snugly in 

 the spinal canal of the sacrum (Fig. 73, c). 



Drill a hole through the under surface of 

 the sacrum, and on through the iron rod. 

 Into this a brass pin is to be fitted at d. 

 Bend the iron rod to correspond exactly with 

 the curve previously marked with chalk on 

 the board. Paint the rod black, and when it 

 has dried place it again in the sacrum, drive 

 in the brass pin, leaving 1 enough of the end 

 exposed to be seized with a pair of pliers and 

 pulled out if desired. Now string the verte- 

 brae over the rod and wires. If all fit prop- 

 erly they can then be 

 unstrung 1 prepara- 

 tory to attaching 1 the 

 ribs to them. 



Each rib should 

 have a hole bored 



Fio. 73. The Sacrum and 

 Spinal Rod. 



through its lower 



end at the middle, 

 to come out on the inner surface (Fig. 

 74, b, b). Through these holes wires are 

 to pass, as seen in the accompanying 

 figure, and to these wires the sternum 

 is presently to be attached. 



Having 1 arranged the ribs so that you 

 know the place of each, take the first 

 pair, and the first dorsal vertebra to 

 which this pair attaches. Bore a holo 

 with the drilling 1 machine through the 

 rib, beginning at the centre of the ar- 

 ticular surface of the tubercle of the 

 rib, directing 1 the drill so that it will come out on the under 

 side (Fig. 74, c, c) ; then drill a hole through the liead of the 



FIG. 74. The Attachment of the 

 Ribs to a Vertebra. 



