12 OF STUFFING QUADRUPEDS. 



body wire, which is situated at, or near the pelvis ; the two 

 ends are then bent, twisting them to the right and left around 

 the ring : and to make them still more secure, they should be 

 wound round with small brass wire or packthread: the tail 

 bearer is then attached in the manner formerly described. 



Having completed this part of the iron work, the skin of 

 the thighs is coated inside with the preservative, and the 

 stuffing completed with chopped flax or tow. The whole 

 inner parts of the skin which can be reached are again 

 anointed, and the body stuffing completed with chopped flax. 

 Care must be also paid not to stuff the belly too much, as the 

 skin very easily dilates. The incision in the belly is now 

 closed by bringing the skin together, and then sewed within 

 and without ; while attention is paid to divide the hairs, and 

 not to take any of them in along with the thread ; but should 

 any of them be inadvertently fixed, they can be picked out 

 easily with the point. (Plate VI. fig. 10.) When this is 

 completed, the hair will resume its natural order, and com- 

 pletely conceal the seam. 



The seam should now be well primed, on both sides, with 

 the solution of corrosive sublimate, to prevent the entrance of 

 moths. 



The articulations of the legs are then bent, arid the animal 

 placed on its feet ; and pressure used at the natural flat places, 

 so as to make the other parts rise where the muscles are 

 visible. 



I cannot take leave of this part, without mentioning a plan 

 which I invented, for giving full effect to the muscles of the 

 shoulders. Having skinned a Dog, immediately on removing 

 the carcase, J took a plaster of Paris cast off, from each of the 

 shoulders ; and from these moulds I cast a pair of shoulders. 

 After having completed the internal stuffing, I applied these 

 casts on the top of the tow, and on the skin being brought 

 over them, they had the best effect imaginable ; and gave the 

 complete appearance of the shoulder in the living animal. 

 This method may be extended to the other visible muscles of 

 the body with great effect ; and it is very easily and speedily 

 accomplished. In short, every legitimate means of this kind 

 should be thought of and adopted, at whatever expense and 

 trouble it may be, to obtain the end in view ; namely, as close 



