292 TAXIDERMY AND MODELLING 



and, even when managed at first with some little traces of 

 colour, so rapidly fading — that it is with a feeling of relief we 

 turn our backs upon this ancient method, and try something 

 newer. 



A large and hairless larva being necessary for the following 

 processes, a very large and fine " goat moth " caterpillar was 

 procured. 



This larva, having been killed painlessly, was left for a 

 night in spirit to harden, and the next morning was laid, feet 

 downwards, upon a small piece of glass, the better to turn it 

 about ; a little lateral twist was given to the body, and, by 

 means of a bit of putty placed underneath, an undulating 

 curve, as if the creature were rapidly crawling, was indicated. 

 Fine damp sand was now tooled underneath the segments of 

 the body, just coming up to, and following, the lines of the little 

 inverted arches, and the sand smoothed out to the same thick- 

 ness for some half an inch beyond, and all around, the body ; 

 thus only the " legs " were hidden up. The zinc strip being 

 bent around and puttied up outside to prevent the plaster from 

 escaping, this latter was poured on thinly in successive coats, to 

 prevent crushing, and, when set, the mould was turned upside 

 down, revealing only the under surface of the larva. Keys were 

 made, the edges were oiled, and, the zinc strip having been 

 readjusted, the casting was repeated. When dry, the two half 

 moulds came readily apart, and the larva, though sticking a 

 little by its few stiiif hairs, came out as readily, revealing a 

 perfect and beautiful impression. 



The moulds (two complete ones were taken from the same 

 larva) were dried and boiled as usual, and, when ready, were 

 dipped in hot water, and one half (the top) filled with melted 

 wax ; the under part was then placed upon it, fitting by its keys, 

 and the whole rotated and turned about in the manner usual 

 when making wax fruit. No result accrued, the wax sticking 



