CHAPTER VIII. 



MOUNTING MAMMALS. 



Section I. : Small Mammals. — Skin as 

 directed, but the skull should not, as a rule, be 

 detached unless the animal be large enough to 

 have the lips split. The eye cavities should also 

 be filled with clay. Cut a piece of wire of the 

 suitable size to support the head ; have it about 

 twice as long as the head and body of the speci- 

 men in hand. Wind up a turn or two with the 

 pliers small enough to enter the cavity in the base 

 of the skull, which will have to be enlarged to 

 admit of the ready removal of the brains. Place 

 the wound portion of the wire in this cavity, and 

 fill in around it with either plaster of paris, or 

 tamp in excelsior, tow, or cotton firmly enough 

 to hold the skull perfectly firm on the wire. 

 Wind up a body of excelsior or grass, as nearly the 

 form and size of the one removed as possible, taking 

 care that the neck be of proper shape, and that the 

 surface be very smooth. 

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