METHODS IN THE ART OF TAXIDERMY. 



297 



give the skin and bones a thorough poisoning before returning it right 

 side out. This is one case in taxidermy where there are no seams to 

 sew up. With this system of skinning and wiring a frog it is possible 

 to give it a life-like attitude, besides many human postures, represent- 

 ing men boxing, fencing, playing billiards, etc., and all manner of 

 human caricatures may be produced. There is an opportunity, how- 

 ever, in these animals, to display artistic skill in the coloring and 

 varnishing of their skins. If the mouth is to be opened, it must be 

 modeled in colored wax. 



Lizards {Lacerilid). — Specimens of this order, with few excep- 

 tions, mounted by the usual processes in taxidermy are, generally 

 speaking, unsatisfactory. Most lizards have cylindrical bodies and 

 thin tails, adorned with bright metallic colors, making their reproduc- 

 tion a very difficult task. The best method for the preservation of the 

 smaller reptiles is that employed at the National Museum. They are 

 preserved in spirits in jars, and are arranged on slabs of glass^ in life- 

 like attitudes. Crustaceans and fishes are preserved in the same man- 

 ner. It is done simply by passing threads through the feet or body 

 and carrying them through holes bored in the glass with a piano drill, 

 and then wedging the thread fast with a little plug of wood. Some- 

 times the plug is made long enough to penetrate the specimen part 

 way and help sustain its weight. In boring the holes in the slabs of 

 glass a chilled steel drill with a triangular point is used, moistened 

 with a preparation known to dealers as "bore glass." Turpentine will 

 do if that is not obtainable. Jars for the preservation of alcoholic 

 specimens may be had from any dealer in natural history materials. 



The larger lizards, as well as some of the larger salamanders, may 

 be successfully mounted on wires, and, with the proper application of 

 clay and chopped tow in the skins, their peculiar forms may be beauti- 

 fully imitated. It remains then for the artist to deftly reproduce their 

 wonderful colors and the natural effect will be complete. 



Mounting Snakes. — I have tried almost every method of mount- 

 ing snakes that has been devised, and have tested the merits of the 

 various procedures on serpents ranging in size from the smallest to 

 some of the largest in existence. I have come to the conclusion that 

 there is only one practical method of mounting snakes. ]\Iake an 

 opening incision, beginning at the throat, and continue it to the end of 

 the tail, as we have it illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, Plate LXXIX. 

 When this has been done take the skin off clean, preserving the full 

 length carcass for measurements, etc. The eyes may be removed by 

 an opening into the orbit from the inside. Now give the skin and 



