40 HINTS UPON THE PREPARATION' OF ZOOI.OOJCAL SPECIMEJfS. 



when placed in the skull the whole together may have the exact shape 

 and size of the head of the animal. 



2. Measure exactly the length of the animal from the point of at- 

 tachment of the cervical vertebrae at the back of the head to the root of 

 the tail, and procure a wire of this length, make a hole in the block at 

 the back of the head as nearly as possible at the point of attachment of 

 the neck, and insert the end of the wire firmly. 



3. Make two pieces of wood similar in size and shape to the shoul- 

 ders and hips of the animal ; bore holes through them sufficiently large 

 to admit the wire with some ditficulty, (if the holes are too large the 

 blocks will not keep their places.) 



4. Wrap the wires with strips of rags, cotton, tow, or some such 

 material until the thickness becomes equal to that of the body of the 

 animal, which should be kept before the operator as a guide. When 

 this has been completed the skin may be carefully replaced, and the 

 openings sewed shut. 



At this period of the operation the specimen will present very little 

 of its natural appearance, the body is misshapen, and the legs are not 

 yet filled. To complete the process, the most convenient way for a be- 

 ginner is to make small openings through the skin on the outside oppo- 

 site the points at which the wires are to be inserted into the blocks : 

 these openings can be afterwards closed without leaving a perceptible 

 mark. Pass a piece of wire entirely through the leg, allowing it to pro- 

 ject about an inch beyond the end of the claws : the upper end should 

 be bent at a right angle, and inserted in a hole made to receive it in the 

 block. To secure it firmly in its place a small staple made by bending 

 about an inch of wire in the form of the letter [J, can be driven into the 

 wood, so as to embrace the former wire at a point about | an inch be- 

 low its insertion. The legs can now be filled by pushing in small pieces 

 of cotton with a stiff' wire through the opening, and the tail can be ad- 

 justed in a similar way, by making an opening at the root on the upper 

 side, inserting a wire and fastening it to the block, in the manner direct- 

 ed for the legs. 



Before closing these small openings the work should be carefully 

 examined, perhaps some parts may be found to require more filling. 

 This can be done by means of a wire, with which portions of cotton can 

 be pushed to the proper place, and if any part requires much addition, 

 and is so situated that the material cannot be otherwise conveniently in- 

 troduced, an opening may be made through the skin at that place.* 



* Of course it will be proper to make as few openings through the skin as 

 possible ; but the reader will please remember, that these directions aie designed 



