Guide to Taxidermy 103 



A wisp of tow around the junction of each leg 

 with the body will fill up the slight hollow that is 

 usually left there. You can now sew the opening 

 cut together, sewing continuously from one end to 

 the other, always entering the needle from the skin 

 side. Instead of putting a knot in the end of the 

 thread it is better to tie the first stitch, while the 

 last one is fastened by taking several half-stitches 

 about the last stitch. 



Your specimen is now ready to place upon its per- 

 manent stand. No neater or more appropriate, 

 stand can be made for squirrels than natural stumps 

 fastened on a sanded stand for the table or on a 

 shield to hang on the wall. See that the eyelids of 

 your specimen are in their proper place and, if 

 necessary, pin them there. For the first three or 

 four days, while your squirrel is drying, it will be 

 well to pinch the ears into shape so they will dry 

 without any shriveling. 



Larger animals always have the ears skinned and 

 tin inserted, but those of squirrels and other small 

 rodents dry best with nothing in them. 



