USEFUL ORNAMENTS FROM ANTLERS AND FEET. 171 



antlers are often so sharp as to injure clothing. For con- 

 venience and ornamentation, they may be tipped with 

 metal buttons plated in nickel, silver, or gold. 



For gun-racks, elk antlers are of most convenient size, 

 and the average pair of large horns will accommodate 

 four guns placed separately on the tines. Some are al- 

 most too wide at the tips to hold a gun of ordinary 

 length. I have within a few weeks' time mounted four- 

 teen unusually large heads, the antlers of the smallest 

 being 4 feet 2 inches long, with a spread of 3 feet 1 inch. 



In mounting all large antlers for racks, place them so 

 that the tines will have the most convenient angles ; and 

 fasten them strongly on heavy wood-work by bolting or 

 screwing through the thick part of the skull. The skull 

 can be concealed as described in a previous chapter. 



Attractive stools and chairs can be made from deer ant- 

 lers. If selected with convenient form, they work together 

 with pleasing effect. Two pairs of horns, having metal 

 shoes, turned with backs together, and burrs upward, 

 make a pretty stool if covered with a fancy walnut or 

 veneered seat, or if plainly "seated," and neatly uphol- 

 stered. Convenient arm chairs may be made from ant- 

 lers alone, by separating and tastefully placing them to- 

 gether. The butts of broken antlers are good for han- 

 dles of umbrellas, canes, whips, knives, etc., and the tips 

 for pegs and wall hooks. They are likewise useful for 

 splicing ropes, and their solidity makes them valuable 

 for manufacturing purposes. 



The feet and legs of nearly all ruminants can be util- 

 ized in various ways. In preparing them, make a cut 

 down the back of the leg to the cleft of the foot, carefully 

 skin to the hoofs, and poison well with arsenical soap. 

 Sew up the skin about the bone, from the under side, by 

 cross-stitching, picking out the hair as you proceed to 

 cover the stitches. Bend in the required shape, and the 

 limb will dry stiff and firm. Large legs of elk, buffalo, 



