58 



PRACTICAL TAXIDERMY. 



with, fish, I prefer a pair of small spring shears, Gin. to Tin. 

 long, similar to those used by gardeners for grape-pruning. 

 Fig. 16 brings us to a really indispensable adjunct to the 



8 INCHES 



Fig. 15.— Bell-hangers' Pliers. 



taxidermist's kit — the compound or bell-hangers' pliers ; these 

 pliers are as the ordinary holding ones at the top, but have a 

 cutting plane fixed lower down (those with flat, not raised, cutters, 

 are to be preferred)*; the figure gives a good idea, but the grip 



5 INCHES 



Fig. 17.— Cutting Nippers. 



should not be quite so broad as they are usually made ; from 

 Sin. to lOin. is the most useful size. The lOin. is rather large, 

 but is, perhaps, the best for professional needs. 



Eig. 17 shows the ordinary cutting nippers, 4in. to Sin. long, 



* These pliers are soiretiines made with a nick at the intersection of the joint to form a 

 cutting plane for thick wires. 



