Skinning and Mounting Mammals, 39 



allel to eacli other, and make the required bend 

 at the knees. Now mount your specimen in 

 such a manner as you may choose ; put in the 

 eyes and set away to dry. There will be deficien- 

 cies, here and there, where the body does not 

 quite fill out the skin. These must be sup- 

 plied with chopped tow, before sewing up the 

 skin. 



You can get the size and curves of the body 

 only by practice; but these few words on the 

 subject may be found of assistance to you; 

 remembering that all quadrupeds curve greatly 

 from the top of the hips to the tail. 



If the animal is to be mounted with the mouth 

 open, place pieces of wood between the jaws, 

 and stuff out the lips in a natural manner until 

 dry, — when the props may be removed. A 

 tongue is made of cork or light wood, with two 

 wires secured to the back, by which it is after- 

 wards fastened to the skull. Cover your artificial 

 tongue with wax, and place in position. The in- 

 side of the mouth and the gums must also be 

 neatly covered with wax. The whole now re- 

 quires to be painted with the color most resem- 



