506 TAXIDERMY. 



which so many are adorned, and which will be matted together 

 if this precaution be not taken. A pair of small bellows 

 will be found very useful, especially if the nozzle be kept 

 heated with a spirit lamp. A drop of the solution is sure to 

 form at the end of the wing, and should be removed with 

 blotting paper, as it is apt to bend the tip downwards and 

 spoil the shape. 



Large-bodied moths should have the abdomen removed, 

 the contents extracted through the wound, the inside painted 

 with poison, and stuffed with cotton -wool. When body and 

 abdomen are both dry, they can be joined by diamond cement. 

 Not a trace of the junction will be visible. The insect will 

 not only be impervious to mites, but it will always preserve 

 its shape, and it will never be subject to "grease/' that 

 terror of all entomologists. 



Eyes will be found exceedingly troublesome, and the 

 very greatest care is needed, especially in the management 

 of the skin at the corners. Always let it be remembered 

 that eyes in life never start spherically out of circular sockets. 

 Care must be taken to have the eyes of the right colour. 

 Most eyes can be procured from the shops, but there are 

 some, notably those of the toads and snakes, which must be 

 made by the operator. The best plan is to have a number of 

 little hollow glass globes, like those used for doll's eyes. 

 Paint them on the inside, fill them with melted wax, push a 

 piece of iron wire into the wax, and they will answer ad- 

 mirably, giving a life-like aspect which can never be obtained 

 by the glass eyes of the shops. 



Two golden maxims for the followers of "Waterton, are, 

 first, never be discouraged ; second, never be in a hurry. 



There is need for them both, especially the former. 

 Nothing can be more discouraging to a beginner than the look 

 of a bird newly skinned, and partly filled with cotton- wool. 

 It is more like a bundle of miscellaneous feathers than a bird. 

 The upper and lower beaks are quite independent of each 

 other, the neck looks like a sausage, the wings are turned 



