312 METHODS IN THE ART OF TAXIDERMY. 



it along the middle line of the abdomen, and all the way to the tip of 

 the tail. The legs should be detached at the shoulder-girdle and 

 pelvis, and the cervical vertebrae at the base of the skull so that the 

 brain may be removed through the occipital opening. Cut the skin 

 away from the flesh all the way around the body and remove the car- 

 cass. The eyes may be removed from the inside. In shaping the legs 

 in the larger specimens I always form them with tow around the leg 

 bones and leg irons, using clay wherever it will assist in developing 

 any peculiar shape. When this has been done I prepare a narrow 

 center-board of tough wood in w^iich the leg irons are anchored in 

 holes bored the proper distance apart, and then they are bent down 

 and clinched with staples on opposite sides of the center-board. The 

 neck iron is fastened to the center-board by means of staples and so is 

 the tail support, the latter being made a trifle shorter than the full 

 length of the tail, to allow for shrinkage. We must now provide for 

 guy wires to hold the tail down while drying. Around the tail iron, 

 at two points, there should be securely fastened heavy copper wires 

 doubled^ designed to pass down through the pedestal and to fasten be- 

 neath, for the purpose of holding the tail flat to the ground; other- 

 wise, when the specimen is dry, it will be sure to spring up. 

 This little device I have used in all sizes of alligators, varying the size 

 of the wire according to the size of the subject. It is of great impor- 

 tance in the larger specimens. When these details have been arranged 

 and the entire skin thoroughly poisoned, fill the body (in the large 

 specimens) wnth tow or straw, filling the skin out full and even, first 

 placing a heavy cushion under the center-board. Be sure that the 

 center-board is in the middle of the bodv and that the bend in the leg 

 irons is correct. The filling on all sides and in every part should be 

 uniform. The sewing up of the opening should begin at the tip of the 

 tail and continue to the ending of the opening in the throat. In the 

 process of sewing you will have sufficient opportunity to add or take 

 away filling where it is necessary to produce a particular shape. You 

 will find that the use of potter's clay mixed with chopped tow will help 

 most wonderfully in forming the different parts where tow alone or 

 other springy substances will not produce the desired form. Use a 

 large curved surgeon's needle, with strong linen thread doubled and 

 waxed for sewing up the opening. An awl must be used to make 

 holes in the skin so that the needle will easily pass through it. x^r- 

 range the legs in a natural position ; and, to accomplish this success- 

 fully, you must study a living spechne7i. The pedestal, which has been 

 previously prepared, must have holes bored in it for the reception of 



