THE SKINNING AND CASTING OF AN ELEPHANT 141 



time, however, it has been found that, although increasing the 

 number of layers to twelve or more is correct, yet that the 

 substitution of glue for paste is a mistake, and that there is 

 nothing like strong thick paste and thick paper to follow the 

 first few coats of thin paper. 



An old lion, of the weight of 252 lbs., which was also sent 

 to the Museum by Mr. J. W. Bostock, was skinned and cast 

 with these differences : — The body was arranged in such a 

 manner as to allow of both sides of the body and the legs, with 

 the exception of two insides, being cast in two pieces. 



The Skinning and Setting-up of an Elephant 



The method adopted in the Leicester Museum for the 

 mounting of a young male elephant called " Ajax," which died 

 of peritonitis, and was presented to the museum in March, 1886, 

 by Mr. G. Ginnett, was somewhat similar. Its weight was one ton 

 one hundredweight. After being skinned, which process took 

 two men two days; the skin was placed for ten hours in a bath 

 of salt, water, and crude carbolic acid in the following pro- 

 portions to remove the blood and toughen the tissue : — 



85. — Preservative Bath for Elephants' and other thick Skins (M.B.) 



No. I. 

 Salt . . . . .40 lbs. 



Carbolic acid, glacial . . . 2 oz. 



(or if crude be used, 4 oz.) 

 Water (warm if possible) . .20 gals. 



The skin was then drained, and steeped in a tub containing 

 the following : — 



86. — Preservative Bath for the same (M.B.) 

 No. 2. 

 Burnt alum . . . -32 lbs. 



Nitre . . . . 8 „ 



Bichromate of potassa . . 4 oz. 



Water (warm if possible) . .16 gals. 



