164 PRACTICAL TAXIDERMY. 



to that in tlie illustvation, for the animal to stand on; the 

 length and width of this are, of course, determined by the 

 measurements which should have been previously taken — its 

 thickness should not be less than one inch. The next thing 

 to be done is to cut a piece of ^in. or fin. deal to represeuo 

 the body — now thrown away — figured in the plate as D, E, F, 

 and R ; the shape as shown in Fig. 32 will be found the most 

 convenient. 



To this attach, by bolting, a thick wire, to represent the 

 neck (0), and of sufficient strength to cai-ry the weight of 

 the head, also another thinner one to take the place of the 

 tail {G). At the point 31" nail two small blocks of wood on each 



Fig. 32.— False Body of Wood, with Neck and Tail Wibes Attached, 



side of the body -board, in order to slightly raise from its surface, 

 and also attach thereto, the scapulars ; do the same at H, re- 

 membering that the thickness of the blocks with bones attached 

 determines the width of the chest, &c. Bore holes along D, 

 through which thrust stout wires to represent the ribs, bending 

 them into position, and bringing them over the edge of B, and 

 bolting each end into one or the other of the holes along its 

 lower surface. The wires must, of course, be cut of sufficient 

 length to go right through the holes at D, to form both sides of 

 the ribs, ere being finally bolted in the holes at B. 



We now have a cage, as it were, of wood and wire, terminating 

 in two long wires, in which state we leave it for the present. The 



