98 



Guide to Taxidermy 





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in an oven and dry it for fifteen minutes, although 

 this is not necessary. 



Sharpen a No. 14 wire on both ends (for gray 

 squirrel) and thrust one end in the brain cavity, 

 through the skull so as to come out one of the nos- 

 tril openings; bend the end sharply back, hook 

 shaped, and draw it back so the point will enter 

 tlirough the other nostril. The wire should be dou- 

 bled long enough so as to enter the brain cavity 

 again, while the bend will fill up the end of the 

 nose. Mix a small quantity of plaster and squeeze 

 some into the skull cavity; this will hold the wire 

 firmly. Put some plaster also on the nose and cheek 

 to replace flesh or cartilage removed. Set the eyes 

 in plaster and build over them a trifle. 



Making the Body 



Wind up a body of excelsior slightly smaller than 

 the one removed and of the same length, winding it 

 fairly hard and smooth and try to keep as closely 

 as possible to the form of the original. This will 

 be wound with cotton string around the body end- 

 wise as well as crosswise. Thrust the wire, which 

 is attached to the skull, completely through this 

 body, from end to end and clinch, making the 

 body, from the tip of the nose to the end, just the 



