156 TAXIDERMi AND MODELLING 



shape, dipping the composition into hot water as used, to 

 render it of about the consistence of putty. When this is satis- 

 factorily accomplished, paint the whole of the skin inside with 

 Formula 57 (p. 73). The eyes may now be embedded in the 

 orbits of the model by means of clay ; the composition, harden- 

 ing quickly, would not, perhaps, allow of subsequent alteration, 

 therefore clay is in this case better. Pull the skin over the 

 model, stretching it in every direction if it shows a tendency 

 not to come together, and, if it is very obstinate, using the 

 carpet-stretchers ; if, however, the skin has been tried on before, 

 this should not be necessary. Sew up the cut at the back of 

 the neck, using a skin-needle charged with double hemp well 

 waxed, and driving the needle with a sailmaker's " palm." Then 

 take out the screw which holds the board to the oval neck-block : 

 this frees the latter, and now the skin should be brought over the 

 edge of this, tacked down on the under side, and all superfluous 

 skin cut off. Rescrew the head upon the board, and now fill in 

 the bags of the eyes, nose, and lips — both upper and under — 

 with the composition, just suiificiently to replace the flesh cut out 

 and to thicken the edges of the lips, etc., as in life ; turn them 

 back into their natural positions, and fix them and the ears by 

 means of stout pins or pieces of pointed galvanised wire — to 

 prevent rusting — hammered through the skin into the various 

 corresponding cavities and depressions on the model, correcting 

 here and there by the addition or subtraction of the modelling- 

 composition, and taking particular pains with the arrangement 

 of the eyes and nostrils. 



Hang the whole up by the board to dry, which will happen 

 ordinarily in about a week or ten days. Then let the whole of 

 the hair be well brushed with a wire scratch-card, and finally 

 wiped down with benzoline. Screw upon the shield (see pp. 

 416, 417), and tint to nature the inside of the ears, eyelids, 

 nose, and lips. 



