OF STUFFING QUADRUPEDS. ] ,'i 



an imitation of the living" subject as possible ; for one well 

 mounted specimen is worth fifty indifferently executed. 



A board is now prepared, on which to place the Cat. But 

 before fixing- it permanently, the animal should be set in the 

 attitude in which it is intended to be preserved, and the 

 operator having- satisfied himself, then pierces four holes for 

 the admission of the feet wires, which must be drawn through 

 with a pair of pincers till the paws rest firmly on the board. 

 Small grooves are then made for the reception of the pieces of 

 wires which have been drawn through, so that they may be 

 folded back and pressed down in them, and not be beyond the 

 level of the back of the board ; wire nails are now driven 

 half in, and their heads bent down on the wires to prevent 

 them from getting loose, or becoming moveable. 



The stuffer next directs his attention to the position and 

 final stuffing of the head and neck. The muscles of the face 

 must be imitated as correctly as possible, by stuffing in cotton at 

 the opening of the eyes, as also at the mouth, ears, and 

 nostrils. To aid in this, also, the inner materials may be 

 drawn forward by the assistance of instruments, such as are 

 represented at plate IV. figs. 12 and 13, and also small pieces 

 of wood formed like small knitting meshes. 



Our next care is the insertion of the eyes, which must be 

 done while the eyelids are yet fresh. Some dexterity and skill 

 are required in this operation ; and on it will depend most of 

 the beauty and character of the head. The seats of the 

 eyes are supplied with a little cement, the eyes put in their 

 place, and the eyelids properly drawn over the eyeballs ; but 

 if rage or fear are to be expressed, a considerable portion of 

 the eyeballs must be exposed. The lips are afterwards disposed 

 in their natural state, and fastened with pins. If the mouth is 

 intended to be open, it will be necessary to support the lips 

 with cotton, which can be removed when they are dry. Two 

 small balls of cotton, firmly pressed together, and well tinctured 

 with the arsenical soap, must be thrust into the nostrils, so as 

 to completely plug them up, to prevent the air from penetrating 

 as also the intrusion of moths ; and besides it has the effect of 

 preserving the natural shape of the nose after it has dried. 

 The same precaution should be adopted with the ears, which, 

 in the Cat, require but little attention in setting. 







