86 PRACTICAL TAXIDERMY. 



CHAPTER XI. 



PREPARING AND MOUNTING SKELETONS. 



Cleaning bones is unpleasant labor, and collectors do 

 not engage in it with the same enthusiasm which they feel 

 in preparing other specimens. Zoologists, however, who 

 know the scientific value of a good skeleton, will work 

 eagerly and industriously, when a rare mammal's frame is 

 to be had for the cleaning. The amount of labor required 

 to prepare a skeleton, is over ten-fold that of mounting 

 the skin, though, when once cleaned and artificially artic- 

 ulated, in a scientific way, it becomes the most valuable 

 part of the animal. 



When travelling by pack-train, and canoe, I have often 

 had my patience tried with the care of skeletons, and the 

 great majority of hunters and collectors cannot be inter- 

 ested in skeletology. 



In the air of the plains, an animal's frame will dry un- 

 tainted, if trimmed closely with a knife ; but in the East, 

 or, in the mountains of the West, skeletons should be 

 thoroughly cleaned at once, or they soon become offensive. 



The frames of various animals are so different in sub- 

 stance and articulation, that no general rule can be given 

 for preparing them. Wire and cement are used in artifici- 

 ally articulating small skeletons, and heaA-y irons, pins, 

 and bolts, are employed in mounting large ones. 



In cleanmg the frame of any animal, watch the bones, 

 particularly when separated. At an unguarded moment, 

 dogs, cats, rodents, and birds, will destroy or carry them 

 off, and careless companions will break or lose them. In 

 caring for old skeletons, watch the teeth and claws, to 

 see that they do not fall from the skulls or tender pelts. 



