ee eee an ote eee Tet Ee! T F. N MMe Tee c E 
HINTS ON TAXIDERMY. 143 
the case with the squirrel when feeding), then the wire must 
be inserted at the tarsal joint instead of the sole of the foot. 
If any depressions appear in the skin they must be stuffed 
out with the cut tow. Wire No. 6 should now be inserted 
at the tip of the tail, and forced down within the skin, 
hooking it into the body in the same manner as the leg 
wires. Stuff the tail to its proper dimensions, with cut 
tow, and carefully sew up the incision along the abdomen. 
Having prepared a board about three-quarters of an inch 
thick, pierce in it two holes at a proper distance apart for 
the reception of the leg wires (four holes would be needed 
if the animal were to stand upon all extremities) ; these must 
be drawn through upon the under side until the feet of the 
specimen rest close upon the upper surface, then they should 
be clinched, taking care that the wire does not protrude 
above the surface of the board as it renders the support 
unsteady. The different joints of the limbs can now be 
imitated by bending the wire at the proper points ; also, a 
curve can be given to the back, and the tail can be set into 
proper position by simply bending the wires into the re- 
quired shape. The eyes should now be placed in their 
position, a little putty having been previously inserted 
within the eyelid to serve as a cement. Care should be 
taken in arranging the eyelid, for the expression depends 
altogether upon this point. Clip off any superfluous wire 
which may extend above the head with the wire cutters. 
The specimen should then be placed in some locality free 
from moisture and allowed to dry thoroughly, when it is 
complete for the cabinet. | 
In mounting quadrupeds of large size the following for- 
mula should be pursued :—Procure a bar of wood, an inch 
thick and two inches broad, of a length equal to the dis- 
tance between the shoulders and thighs; this should be 
placed within the skin, three holes having been previously 
made at one end, and two in the other, with a gimlet, 
for the reception of the various wires. This is used as a 

