126 TAXIDERMY AND MODELLING 



(on which some flesh was left at the first cutting, for safety) were 

 trimmed, and by careful management were skinned along their 

 edges until they were turned inside out right up to their tips. 



A strong paste was made in a bucket, by mixing 8 lbs. 

 of burnt alum and 2 lbs. of saltpetre with warm water (see 

 Formula 59, p. 75), and this was thoroughly rubbed into the 

 skin, especially at the thickest parts, or where any flesh had 

 been left for further and final trimming. 



After this had been done and the skin was thoroughly 

 cured, which was accomplished by turning it and rubbing in 

 the preservative for two or three days, the skin was damped 

 and stretched wherever it showed signs of drying, and the 

 skull — improperly left attached, — having been cleared of flesh, 

 was dusted over with rough plaster of Paris (or whiting) 

 to dry it. Preparations for the setting-up were then 

 commenced by drilling a hole with a brace and bit through 

 each side of the lower jaw where it is thin (close to its 

 junction with the upper jaw), through which a stout wire was 

 threaded, and the ends turned around the upper jaw when 

 in position, so that the upper and lower were articulated as in 

 nature, care being taken, however, to leave the wire loose 

 enough to allow the jaws to open to the extent required. 

 Tow steeped in carbolic acid or creosote was then packed into 

 the nasal orifice, and between the sides of the face and the 

 articulation of the lower with the upper jaw, in the orbits, and 

 in the brain cavity. Carbolised tow having been used only in 

 sufficient quantities to dry up any remains of flesh, etc., was 

 followed by dry tow, and then by wadding rammed close in all 

 parts excepting in the brain cavity, in which a small aperture 

 was left to receive the supporting rod. 



Much flesh having, of course, been previously removed 

 from the sides of the head and face, it was replaced by tow 

 wound around until it roughly assumed the proper shape. 



