66 



PEACTICAL TAXIDERMY. 



MOUNTING HEADS, ANTLERS, AND HORNS. 



The heads of the various wild ruminants, and those of 

 the larger canivorous animals, when well mounted, make 

 showy and life-like ornaments. Even the heads of do- 

 mestic animals, such, as the bullock, goat, sheep, dog, etc., 

 can be made attractive for halls, dming, and club-rooms. 

 To succeed well, a knowledge of their anatomy and char- 

 acteristics is necessary, and great care should be taken in 

 modelling. 



The average sportsman can preserve and mount a head 

 with fair effect, after a few trials ; but good mounting of 

 large animals requires considerable practice and expen- 



B^HLDS FOR CASTING HEADS 



ence. I employ two methods for mounting heads. The 

 first is on a cast : Remove the skm as in the preceding 

 chapter ; clean it of all loose flesh over a currier's board or 

 smooth piece of wood with a convex surface. The fleshy 

 parts of the lips and the flesh about the ears must be 

 carefully removed with a small knife. When cleaned, 

 place in pickle over night, or until wanted. I have sue 

 cessfully kept skins two years in the pickle described else 

 where. It cleans the skin and coat, partially tans the hide 

 and prevents the hair from falling out. Next, holding the 



