; 10 OF STUFFING QUADRUPEDS. ° 
forehead, as represented in the Cat, plate II. fig. 2. After 
which, the compietion of the stuffing is proceeded with. 
We think this mode unnecessary for the smaller animals, 
and that it should only be adopted for quadrupeds the size of 
Deer, &c. These wires are besides much more difficult to insert 
by this than by the other method. 
All the wires being adjusted, the operation of stuffing is 
next proceeded with. The skin of the Cat is now extended on 
a table; and the end of the nose seized with the left hand, 
and pushed again into the skin, till it reaches the neck, when 
we receive the bones of the head into the right hand. The 
skull is now well rubbed over with the arsenical soap, and all 
the cavities which the muscles before occupied are filled with 
chopped tow, flax, or cotton, well mixed with preserving 
powder. The long piece of wire is now passed into the middle 
of the skull, and after it is well rubbed over with the preserv- 
ative, it is returned into the skin. The inner surface of the 
neck-skin is now anointed, and stuffed with chopped flax, 
taking care not to distend it too much. Nothing like pressure 
should be applied, as the fresh skin is susceptible of much ex- 
pansion. 
Observe that it is always the inner surface which is anointed 
with the arsenical soap. 
Take care that the first ring of the wire, which passes into 
the head, is in the direction of the shoulders, and the second 
corresponding with the pelvis, or somewhat towards the 
posterior part. One of the fore-leg wires is then inserted 
along the back of the bone ; and the point passed out under the 
highest ball of the paw. When this is accomplished, the 
bones of the leg are drawn up within the skin of the body, 
and the wire fastened to the bones of the arm and fore-arm 
with strong thread or small twine. Brass wire, used for 
piano-forte strings, makes it more secure, and is not liable 
to rot. These are well anointed, and flax or tow slivers 
wrapped round them, so as to supply the place of the muscles 
which have been removed. The common stuffing employed | 
by the French taxidermists, at the Jardin des Plantes, is 
chopped flax; but it must be quite evident that for such parts 
as the legs of animals or birds, that flax or tow slivers are far 
preferable ; and can be wound on with more nicety. Whereas, 
