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1886.] On the Mounting of Fossils. 357 
Take another case (Fig. 5). Here are almost all the parts 
of Hyznodon’s hind leg 
and foot, with part of the 
pelvis, a chaos as they lay 
in a tray. But by first 
glueing the tarsals together 
in position and making 
them a bed on a plaster 
base, and then bedding each 
metatarsal and phalanx in 
turn, I was able to display 
the foot. The tarsals were 
then set free by soaking in 
water. Fastening this plas- 
ter base to the black walnut 
pedestal by a screw-bolt, I 
set up behind it a post, 
eighteen inches high, into 
which wires were set, as 
Shown in the figure. The 
small figures behind show 
the wires as seen from 
above “in plan.” The main 
curves in æ and å hold the tibia and their ends catch the fibula. 
Patella sits in the loop of c, d and e steady the head of femur, 
Fic. 5. 
_ while fand another wire behind the post hold the pelvic frag- 
ment. Each bone is marked with the museum number of the 
Specimen somewhere on its surface. z 
The adjustment of these wires is a nice matter. Each bone 
must have its natural position, but must be under no strain ; must 
be held in its place securely, and yet be so free as to be easily 
lifted out. It must stay by gravity only. 
For small Specimens all that is needed to secure the wires in 
Some Practice is needed to bring the wires to their pr roper 
ape. No two bones are ever quite alike, and hence cachi w o 
