METHODS 7.V THE ART OF TAXIDERMY. 33 



Laying on Paint. — Get rid of all defects as far as possible in the 

 woodwork to be painted. Don't depend upon the paint to hide the 

 imperfections if they can be removed. All uneven surfaces must be 

 reduced by the plane, scraper, or sand-paper. Set all nail-heads, and 

 after the priming coat is dry putty up the holes. The first, or priming 

 coat, should be laid on evenly and with as much care as the last. It is 

 a mistake to suppose that it makes no difference how rudely the first 

 coat is applied. Sand-paper lightly before applying a second coat. 

 Three or four coats are generally necessary, each being laid on with 

 particular care and finished by long strokes of the brush. 



Varnishing. — ^lany kinds of varnishes are in use, each adapted to 

 some particular work. Shellac varnish is a solution of shellac gum 

 and alcohol, and consists of three kinds — brown, white and French 

 shellac, the latter being of a pale cider color and adapted for any kind 

 of work. This varnish is often rubbed on with a cloth, drying rap- 

 idly so that a number of coats may be applied in a few minutes. Ordi- 

 nary carriage varnish^ which can be obtained from any dealer in 

 paints, can be used to good advantage in many kinds of work. It is 

 made by melting copal gum, mixing it with linseed oil, adding a small 

 quantity of dryer and thinning to the proper consistency with turpen- 

 tine. It dries in about eight hours and excels in brilliancy and dura- 

 bility. Hard oil finish is very serviceable and should find a place and 

 a use in the taxidermic workshop. It hardens in a few hours and 

 when properly worked will give a fine polish. Varnishes should be 

 kept in a dry place, and when applied it should be in a dry place where 

 there is no dust. Do not varnish your work and then begin to sweep 

 your room as I have seen some do. 



Brushes. — The taxidermist needs but few brushes, but they 

 should be of the best and should be well cared for. Two or three 

 brushes varving in size from one to two and one-half inches will suf- 

 fice for ordinary work. Do not use the same brushes for paint that are 

 used for varnish, nor the same for varnish that are used for paint. Do 

 not allow brushes to become hard for the want of care, as in such a 

 case they become useless for good work. Paint brushes may be kept 

 soft in water, but varnish brushes should never be placed in water. 

 Paint brushes that are set with glue should never be placed in water 

 until they have been used in paint. A good way to keep varnish 

 brushes is to suspend them by the handle in a can of slow drying var- 

 nish, the bristles not being allowed to touch the bottom. It is best 

 not to rinse varnish brushes in oil or turpentine ; if they become dirty 

 cleanse them by working them over a clean surface. 



