46 TAXIDERMY. 



When we reach the neck, we cut it as near as 

 possible to the head, and we make another opening 

 in the skin, beginning under the chin ; we continue 

 it the length of the neck, and it will be from eight 

 to ten inches long. By this opening we separate 

 the remainder of the neck, take away the tongue, 

 and enlarge the occipital hole to take out the brain. 

 We cut the lips as near as possible to the jaw 

 bones ; we continue by ascending towards the fore- 

 head, and take the skin entirely from the head, ex- 

 cept at the muzzle, where it will adhere. The head 

 being well cleaned we anoint it and put the chop- 

 ped flax in the place of the muscles which have 

 been taken away, and we carefully replace the head ; 

 we must then sew up the opening made under the 

 neck with very small stitches, that the hair may cover 

 and conceal the seam. The rest is finished as we 

 have already remarked in the bear. 



All animals which have horns ought to be skinned 

 like the deer ; but the elk, which comes immediately 

 after, ought to be mounted upon a wooden shape, 

 as, from its size, it belongs to quadrupeds of the 

 largest growth. 



Seals. 



These animals are amphibious, and have a very 

 thick skin ; consequently we must diminish it by 



