240 MR. C. BODEN KLOSS ON 



eml, to more or less shape it and hold it togetlier, for a ilistance ivpre- 

 sentlug the head and neok ; wrajjping with thread is not essential but 

 frec|uently renders more easy the insertion of the stuffing material 

 into tlie skin . Grasp the wrapped portion witli the forceps and 

 pass it into the body and up the neck until the end can be seen and 

 gripped through the mouth opening ; then remove the forcejw from 

 within and work tlie sldn of the neck and body over the wool ; or 

 the latter can remain compressed in the forcejxs until the skin of head and 

 shoulders has been arranged. 



iSee that the wool of the limbs projects into the body, that of 

 tlie fore-limbs towards the tail, that of the legs towards the liead, and, 

 if the body is not sufficiently filled out already, small pieces of wool 

 can be inserted with the forceps where called for ; this will often be 

 necessary where limbs and tail join the trunk. Hold the cotton tightl}' 

 in the forceps wliile inserting it and do not release it until it is in place. 



The tail wire should be surrounded by the wool of the body, and 

 the filling of the head drawn well up into the musizle. 



Now sew up tlie belly opening ; it is not necessary to do this so 

 carefully that no traces of a cut are visible, a few stitches inserted 

 close to the edges are sufficient, but cai'S shoidd be taken that no un- 

 due amount of skin is sewn in or a false idea as to the breadth 

 of the uiider-surf'ace will be given. 



Arrange the skin of the ejes neath% and by ])assing a needle 

 and thread through the top of the lower lip and once through eacdi side 

 of the upper lip, draw the edges of the mouth together and tie them 

 so. 



The filling material must not have been so forced into the skin 

 that the specimen is hard and unyielding, but on the other hand suffi- 

 cient must have been used to do away with any wrinkles or bagginess 

 when the skin is sewn up. 



Cut and straighten a couple of wires, a little longer than the 

 distance between the fore and hind claws and shaipen one end of each. 

 Cut small slits in the skin of the palms and soles and pass the jiointed 

 end of a wire through the sole of a hind-foot, work it gradually through 

 the body-filling and out at the i)alm of a fore-foot on the same side. 

 The foi'e-limbs should now lie close to the sides of the neck ; and feet 

 parallel to the tail, pointing backwards and soles downwards. Tie 

 the skin label to the right hind-leg above the heel. 



The skin ought now to be in fair shape, Imt place it 

 bell\' downwards on the table and with the measure or aflat jjiece of 

 wood, beat it along (not across) the back and sides ; in fact ti'eat it as if 

 it were a pat of butter being smacked into shape; tliis process will 

 smootli and flatten the stufTing material within so that when the skin 

 dries it will do so witJiout showing lumps and wrinkles. 



No special effort should be made to get the sijecinien to assume 

 a life-like shape, though the head and body and the tail should lie of 

 approximately the same length as before skining. What should be 



JOLK.N. .NAl. UlSr. sot. SiAM. 



