﻿FIKLD AND FOREST. 177 



or scissors, which ever suits best. Having removed the heavest por- 

 tion of the flesh, each bone is thrown in cold water to stand all night. 

 The next morning pour the water off and clean the bones a second 

 time, throwing them again in clean cold water ; proceed in this way 

 until they are perfectly free from flesh. Lay them on a board and 

 when dry, clean and brush them repeatedly, to remove any particles 

 that may adhere about the joints. They must now have an exposed 

 situation to whiten in the sun and the weather ; the rapidity of this 

 process depends very much upon the season and the exposure of the 

 situation. 



The bones of birds, being hollow, are sometimes moderately white 

 without much bleaching ; in this case, we can proceed in a few weeks 

 to mount them. In the mammalia, the bones contain more marrow, 

 and they require a longer time to whiten. 



When the bones are sufficiently bleached proceed to mount them. 

 First wrap the wire with spool cotton, even silver or plated wire is 

 best wrapped, it prevents rust, and it also prevents the bones turning 

 dark. Cut a proper length of wire to extend the full length of the 

 vertebras, on this adjust the bones in their regular rotation. Take 

 soft old linen, or silk handkerchiefs, which ever is most convenient, 

 roll them up — not tightly — to the size of the bird or beast, somewhat 

 after the fashion of the taxidermist in stuffing birds, place this within 

 the sternum, and tie to it in natural position, and with fine cotton, 

 the vertebrae, which have already been strung on wire. Make this 

 stuffing perfectly uniform, and proceed to adjust the bones. Set on 

 the head, the wings, the legs, and the feet. When every bone is reg- 

 ulated, pull out the soft old handkerchief, carefully, so as not to dis- 

 turb the delicate rib bones. 



The bones of large animals must be fastened together with wire. 

 The bones of smaller subjects are too delicate, as a general thing, for 

 wire to pass through, and in most cases we have to use glue. It is al- 

 most impossible to give written rules for mounting, there are so many 

 contingencies to guard against, which only experience can teach. 

 Some bones warp in drying, and we have to adopt every expedient to 

 force them into proper form. Small subjects require the most skillful 

 and delicate handling, and every device is called for, with an insur- 

 mountable degree of patience. 



In conclusion, we assure our readers that in giving our own views 



