CHAPTER X 



THE MOUNTING OF ANIMALS IN AN ARTISTIC MANNER, 

 WITH MODELLED ROCKWORK, TREES, ETC., NATURAL 

 GRASSES, FERNS, MOSSES, SEAWEEDS, ETC., AND 

 MODELLED FOLIAGE 



DIVISION I 



THE MAKING OF ROCKWORK, TREES, ETC., BY VARIOUS 



METHODS 



Hitherto the reader has been initiated into the mysteries of 

 skinning, preserving, " setting-up," and modelling the various 

 specimens treated of in these pages, and nothing has as yet 

 been said upon the necessary " mounting " — mounting being a 

 distinct performance calling for the exercise of some consider- 

 able artistic ability. It is, in fine, the arrangement of a speci- 

 men or specimens with appropriate surroundings, to be ulti- 

 mately enshrined in a suitable receptacle or case. 



The simplest form of mounting is that which the bird- 

 stuffers supply — a block of sanded or mossed wood, on which 

 the bird stands ; the most elaborate, the introduction of natural 

 accessories with modelled rocks and foliage into a study of 

 bird life, and called a " mounted group." Between these 

 extremes there are numberless stages. 



Simple as sanding a board appears, there are certain rules 

 to be observed ; one is, that ordinary fine or red sand does not 

 do very well. What is wanted is a coarse, sharp sand or grit, 



