
146 HINTS ON TAXIDERMY. 
longitudinally opened on its under side; the soles of the feet were now 
taken out to within an inch of their edge, and the nails allowed to remain 
attached to the skin. This was effected by the aid of a chisel and mallet, 
and was one of the most difficult operations of the whole. Several per- 
necessary to effect it. When removed ihe carcass, the skin was 
weighed, and found to be five hundred and seven ws pounds. It was 
extended on the ground, so that the cutaneous muscles of the head and 
other parts might be cut away from its interior. id skin was then put 
into a tub, and covered six inches deep with water which had been satu- 
rated with alum. The model which was to fill the skin was made as per- 
the head in plaster, as also a fore and hind leg. This structure was made 
of linden wood, and so ingeniously constructed by M. Lassaigne, that 
almost the whole parts could be separated. He opened a panel on one 
side of the body, whereby he yi himself into its interior, so that 
model being completed, the alum water, in which the skin had been all 
the time immersed, was now taken out and made boiling hot, and in that 
culty. 
But judge of their own mortification when it was found that the model 
was rather too large. To diminish the woodwork they foresaw would 
them that the best thing to be done under these awkward circumstances 
was to take off the skin again, and reduce its thickness with knives; they 
removed all the internal thickenings which came in their way. In this 
operation five men were occupied for four days, during which time they cut 
out one hundred and ninety-four pounds weight off the internal surface. 
During this process the skin had dried, and required again to be immersed 
in cold soft water; after allowing it to remain twenty-four hours to soak, 
it was then put on the model, and found to cover it completely; the ed. 
were brought together and secured with wire rg deeply driven home; 
and large brads. Except at the edges, the nails and brads were only 
driven in half way, to keep the skin down to the Pee sinuosities and 
hollows until dry, when they were again all pulled out. The alum with 
admirable and well executed contrivance here adopted, a specimen has 
been mounted with all the penam * og which, with a little atten- 
M may resist for ages the influence 
[To be S eui 

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T 


