METHODS IN THE ART OF TAXIDERMY. - , 



For Modeling Tongues, Mouths, and in General Fancy- W^ork. — 

 The following is Jose|)li 11. I5aLL)'s composition, which he has success- 

 fully employed for years: " Procure three pounds of white glue, one 

 pint raw linseed oil, and one pound of resin. Heat the oil and resin, 

 then add hot glue and stir thoroughly. Thicken with Paris white until 

 the mixture has the proper consistency to mould when warm. This 

 composition soon dries, becomes very hard, and can be colored or 

 gilded. Fancy decorations of any design can readily be made from 

 plaster or wood, and be glued on shields and cases, thereby saving the 

 expense of carving." 



To Tan Small Skins.— "When taken from the animal, let the 

 skins be nailed in the shape of an oblong square to dry, fur side down. 

 Before taking them from the board, clean oflf all the fat or oily matter 

 with a dull knilc. Be careful not to cut the skins. When yon wish to 

 tan them, soak thoroughly in cold water until soft; then squeeze out 

 the water, and take of soft water three quarts, salt half a pint, and best 

 oil vitriol one ounce. Stir well with a stick, and put in the skins 

 quickly, and leave them in thirty minutes. Then take them in 

 your hands and squeeze (not wring) them out, and hang in the shade, 

 fur side down, to dry. If you get the quantity of liquor proportioned 

 to the skins, they will need no rubbing to make them soft ; and tanned 

 in this way, the moths will never disturb them." — Col. Horace Park's 

 Sportsman'' s Hand-Book. 



Paints, Varnishes, and Stains. — It is necessary for the taxider- 

 mist to have some knowledge of staining and polishing woodwork 

 and mixing colors for branches, rock-work, etc. It matters little how 

 perfect he has made his specimen if its mountings are improperly 

 finished, the general effects will be displeasing. A well-polished sup- 

 port for his bird or a properly finished shield for his deer-head will add 

 much to the artistic appearance of his work. 



To paint or varnish well requires care, good tools and materials. 

 He who thinks to lighten his labor by brushing over his work a little 

 oil, or a coat of thick, unsuitable varnish, makes a great mistake. The 

 idea that anything is good enough has its origin in ignorance or lazi- 

 ness, much to the detriment of the final condition of the work in 

 hand. 



Paints. — To keep a great variety of paints on hand will be found 

 inexpedient, since they are impaired by exposure to air or by long 

 standing, and as the taxidermist requires but a little at a time, it is 

 best to mix what he needs as occasion requires. A small jar of the 

 best boiled linseed oil is indispensable, also a like quantity of the spirits 



