252 TAXIDERMY AND MODELLING 



of thick brown paper, about 4 inches in width — nine in 

 number — crossed the inside of the body at intervals from the 

 nose to the tail, and, lengthwise over all, one 4-inch strip of 

 six thicknesses of brown paper extended from head to tail, 

 making the whole extremely strong without unnecessary 

 weight. 



The other half of the mould was treated in precisely the 

 same manner, and both halves were left to dry until they showed 

 a disposition to lift along the edges, which did not happen for 

 some weeks. This is, of course, dependent upon the dryness of 

 the weather, and also upon whether moderate fire-heat or warm 

 air can be brought to bear. Note, however, that placing large 

 masses, whilst wet, in front of a fire, or even in hot sunshine, has 

 the effect of drying them indeed, but in such a manner that they 

 are often drawn completely out of shape and ruined. 



As some of the edges gradually dried and lifted, the remain- 

 ing edges were slightly relieved, either by the hand or by cutting 

 with a knife ; this, taking care of the fins the while, had the 

 effect of letting the air under the body of the animal between 

 the paper skin and the mould, and in a few days parts could 

 be lifted to let in more air, the head, toward the jaws, being the 

 last to "stick." At length the whole could be lifted, despite 

 the undercut nature of the mould ; here and there, indeed in 

 one place near the gills, it was found advisable to slit it along a 

 prominent edge with a knife, to cause it to relieve properly. 



When out, it was looked over for blemishes caused by the 

 paper sticking a little to the mould in places, as it sometimes 

 does ; these, if hanging loosely, were pasted down at once or 

 made up. 



The joining of the two halves and the repairing of the slit 

 near the gills were now effected. The two edges, being slightly 

 damped, were brought together and propped up from the under- 

 neath, and united by four strips of calico, 2^ inches in width. 



