14 THE TAXIDEEMIST'S GUIDE. 



A board is now prepared, on which to place the Cat. But 

 before fixing it permanently, the animal should be set in the 

 attitude in which it is intended to be preserved, and the operator, 

 having satisfied himself, then pierces four holes for the admission 

 of the feet wires, which must be drawn through with a pair of 

 pincers till the paws rest firmly on the board. Small grooves 

 are then made for the reception of the pieces of wires which 

 have been drawn through, so that they may be folded back and 

 pressed down in them, and not be beyond the level of the back 

 of the board ; wire nails are now driven half in, and their heads 

 bent down on the wires to prevent them from getting loose, or 

 becoming movable. 



The stuffer next directs his attention to the position and final 

 stuffing of the head and neck. The muscles of the face must be 

 imitated as correctly as possible, by stuffing in cotton at the 

 opening of the eyes, as also at the mouth, ears, and nostrils. To 

 aid in this, also, the inruer materials may be drawn forward by 

 the assistance of instruments, and also small pieces of j wqod 

 formed like small knitting meshes. 



Our next care is the insertion of the eyes, which must be done 

 while the eyelids are yet fresh. Some dexterity and skill are 

 required in this operation, and on it will depend most of the 

 beauty and character of the head. The seats of the eyes are 

 supplied with a little cement, the eyes put in their place, and the 

 eyelids properly drawn over the eyeballs ; but if rage or fear are 

 to be expressed, a considerable portion of the eyeballs must be 

 exposed. The lips are afterwards disposed in their natural state, 

 and fastened with pins. If the mouth is intended to be open, it 

 will be necessary to support the lips with cotton, which can be 

 removed when they are dry. Two small balls of cotton, firmly 

 pressed together, and well tinctured with the arsenical soap, must 

 be thrust into the nostrils so as to completely plug them up 

 to prevent the air from penetrating, as also the intrusion of 

 moths ; and besides, it has the effect of preserving the natural 

 shape of the nose after it has dried. The same precaution should 

 be adopted with the ears, which, in the Cat, require but little 

 attention in setting. 



We must again recommend the stuffer to see that he has suf- 

 ficiently applied the preservative soap ; and the nose, lips, eyes, 



