TAXIDERMY. 23 



of the pelvis. Notwithstanding these precautions, 

 it sometimes happens that pieces of the skeleton 

 detach one from the other; in this case two holes 

 are pierced in the separated ends of the bones, and 

 they are reunited with fastenings of brass wire. 

 Such is the method employed for the skeletons of 

 reptiles, fish, birds, small mammalia, and children. 



Of Artificial Skeletons. 



The skeletons of men and animals of middling 

 size cannot be set up in the manner last described, 

 and more skill is required to form them. We begin 

 in the same way as for the natural skeleton, by tak- 

 ing off as much of the flesh as possible, but we must 

 separate all the bones at their joints, before putting 

 them to macerate : on account of their greater size 

 they ought to remain longer in the water. We re- 

 new the scrapings until they are perfectly cleaned ; 

 then expose them to the sun to whiten, and take 

 care to turn them every day. The most difficult 

 part of the operation follows, which is to re-assemble 

 all the bones, to reunite them, and to place them in 

 their natural position. Commencing by one of the 

 extremities we make holes at the apophysis *, by 

 the help of a wimble, or a lathe, sometimes with the 



* The apophysis is the ball or round end of the bone, 

 marked A. plate I. 



