536 MUSEUMS. 



or sawdust (but I prefer chaff), not minding whether the fur be wet 

 or dry. When this has been done, the skin has almost the appear- 

 ance of an inflated bag, quite deficient in feature and in mascular 

 appearance. " Rudis, indigestaque moles." It now depends upon 

 the skill and anatomical knowledge of the operator (perhaps I ought 

 to call him artist in this stage of the business), to do such complete 

 justice to the skin before him, that, when a visitor shall gaze upon 

 it afterwards, he will exclaim, " That animal is alive ! " " Stare loco 

 nescit, micat auribus, et tremit artus ! " 



There are now no obstacles either from without or from within, to 

 impede the artist's progress. The skin is perfectly free from all 

 chance of putrefaction, is quite supple, and will remain so as long as 

 required. There is no hard body inside to obstruct the transit of a 

 working-iron ; there is not anything in the shape of wires to prevent 

 him from lengthening or shortening the neck, body, thighs, and legs, 

 according to his own judgment. 



Now we proceed to support the skin in any attitude the artist may 

 wish to place it in. 



Join two pieces of wood in the shape of a carpenter's gimlet, and 

 of size corresponding to the size of the animal. When you have 

 nearly filled the abdomen with chaff, introduce this machine, and let 

 the shank hang down outside of the skin, just as though it were a 

 fifth leg in the centre of the body, equidistant from the fore and hind 

 legs. This fifth leg, or what may be called the shank of the gimlet, 

 is of any sufficient length, and is passed through a hole in the table 

 before you, and then fastened with a couple of wedges. By this con- 

 trivance you can raise the animal as high as you wish, or you can 

 lower it at your pleasure ; and the feet will just touch the table, with- 

 out requiring any wire inside to support them. I used formerly to 

 put a stick into the skin by way of back-bone, with pieces of string 

 tied to it at short intervals. These pieces of string were passed 

 through the skin, just where the back-bone had been ; and then they 

 were attached to a gallows above, which gave an excellent support 

 to the skin. But I now prefer the other process, as I find it more 

 convenient. 



Everything is now ready for the artist to exercise his abilities. 



With a piece of iron, from the size of a large darning-needle to 



