506 PREPARATION AND PRESERVATION 



piece of smaller wire, the length of the tail, with an oval bend- 

 ing at the anterior end, is now to be rolled round with flax, in- 

 creasing the quantity of flax as the tail thickens, towards the 

 oval. When of the proper size, moistened with a little flour 

 paste to make it retain the form, and dried, it is inserted 

 into the skin of the tail, both being previously rubbed with 

 the preservative mixture by means of a brush. The oval 

 bending of the tail wire serves to fix that which replaces the 

 vertebral column. 



A long wire now fixed in the cranium, and extending to the 

 loop of the tail wire, is made to support the body longitu- 

 dinally. Loops bent on this wire at the shoulder serve for 

 fixing the wires which support the legs. After the inner side 

 of the skin has been anointed with the mixture, the body is 

 then either formed of chopped flax, or if the animal be large, 

 straw or hay, and the head and legs stuffed by means of 

 forceps to the requisite thickness. The wires of the limbs 

 are pointed and inserted behind the bone. When the body 

 is formed as nearly as possible of the natural size, the skin 

 is brought together and sewed neatly, taking care not to 

 include the hairs in the stitches. The enamel eyes are put 

 in while the eyelids are still fresh, and any want of stuff- 

 ing to imitate the muscles of the head is inserted by the 

 eyes, ears, and nose, by means of a small probe. The lips 

 are then placed properly, and fastened with pins till dry. 

 The opening of the nostrils is prevented from shrinking by in- 

 serting a peg into them covered with cotton ; and the ears are 

 supported in their proper state of erection by slips of card and 

 pins. The ends of the wires inserted at the feet are left long 

 for fastening the preparation to a board by corresponding holes 

 made in the wood ; and the bendings of the legs and attitude 

 are given before putting the specimen aside to dry. When the 

 internal anointing with the preservative mixture or powder is 

 not judged sufficient, such parts as the nose, lips, and* feet, 

 are anointed by means of a brush with spirit of turpentine, and 

 afterwards wiped with cotton. 



A large elephant mounted in Paris for the Museum, had a 

 wooden model of accurate dimensions formed for the internal 

 frame. The skin of this animal when taken from the body 

 weighed 576 French Ibs. 



