I50 TAXIDERMY AND MODELLING 



the skin to await final operations. Repeat this with the 

 other eye. 



The next to be taken are the nostrils, which show within 

 the skin as a large mass of cartilage with, probably, some flesh 

 attached. Grasping the cartilage with the left hand and using 

 the knife with the right, cut away the whole of the septum, or 

 that part which divides one nostril from the other ; then, using 

 the knife and fingers as before, proceed to skin from the inside 

 to the outside of the nostrils in the same manner as directed 

 for the bags of the eyes, so that, coming to the extreme outer 

 edges, the inner linings of the nostrils are practically detached, 

 except at their outside edges, and form bags ; whereas the 

 cutting-away of these, in improperly managed heads, results in 

 objectionable holes. 



When both nostrils are done, there remain but the lips to 

 be grappled with, and these show, as before mentioned, a thick 

 mass of papillated inner lining, i.e. mucous membrane. Where 

 the edges of this, both of the upper and lower jaws, remain 

 attached to the inner surface of skin, they must be carefully 

 split until the junction of their edges with the outer hair is 

 reached, but not divided. This, being thoroughly done all 

 round, leaves some very large bags which, like those of the 

 ears, eyes, and nostrils, are to be left for subsequent modelling. 



The last operation is to carefully examine and thin the 

 skin over all its remaining parts. Then plunge it into the 

 nitrate solution (Formula 59), made as a thin paste with warm 

 water, thoroughly saturating and rubbing in both the inside and 

 outside, taking care not to neglect the least portion, or at that 

 place the hair will '' slip." Properly, the skin should lie in this 

 for a night, after which the superfluous preservative should be 

 scraped off and retained, and the skin thoroughly washed in 

 clean cold water several times and then partly dried, so that 

 it may be but just damp when placed on the model. 



