172 PRACTICAIi TAXIDEEMY. 



management we stall also be enabled to get tlie bony core from 

 tbe claw, and tlius reap tbe advantage of baving two specimens 

 instead of one only. 



Large fishes — such as sharks; or reptiles, such as very large 

 alligators and crocodiles — may be mounted by slight modifications 

 of any of the foregoing processes. 



Often hardened wax, linseed oil and plaster, plaster composi- 

 tion, modelling wax, cobbler's wax, shellac, or what not, is used 

 to represent the muscles and " flabby" parts. Wax is also used to 

 paint over the mucous membrane, where shown or exposed. All 

 this will be found fully explained in Chapter XII, thus explod- 

 ing all the rubbish talked, and written, about " secret" or 

 " patent" compositions, which, when put on soft, will ultimately 

 dry as hard as marble. These wonderful " secrets " may be 

 summed up under three heads — Clay, Plaster, and Wax i 



» >i «*» e:j > 



