Taxidoiny shop in Built') huihhiig, west court, ivith the Feuykiwi elephant sk/u on the flour. Probably 1958. 



After this, each of the three sections was lowered 

 to the floor by two two-ton hoists. 



Then all inner arniatme, clay, wire, and so 

 forth, were removed, leaving the elephant skin 

 attached to the outside mold. When the skin had 

 been thonnighly cleaned, a layer of plaster of paris 

 about 'Vi inch thick was applied. This held the skin 

 between two layers of plaster while drying. When 

 thoroughly dry the inner coating of plaster was 

 carefullv removed; three layers of burlap and two 

 layers ot aluminum screenwire, each reinforced 

 with papier mache were laminated to the hide. 

 This construction prodticed a thin manikin, very 

 tough and durable, about 'A' inch thick. 



Next, another internal armature of seasoned 

 wooden ribs was built and fastened to the inside of 

 the manikin for support. At this stage the outer 

 wooden frame and plaster mold were removed. 



After the mold was removed, the body halves 

 were joined together from within by bolting. 

 Papier mache was then applied to the seams. 



The head was treated the same as the two halves 

 except for support. A wooden structure was made 

 inside the head to hold a long beam from which 

 the head would be supported when attached to the 

 body. The tusks were inserted and the head was 

 fastened to the body halves. After the seams had 

 been sealed, the finishing touches, such as setting 

 the eyes and restoring the color of the hide, were 

 made." 



The elephant's blown-glass eyes were hand-painted, the 

 legs were filled with sand, and the tusks were artificial — 



the originals weighed too much. 



The mounting look about sixteen months and was 

 done to the west of the rotunda in the Hall of the Sea, 

 which was closed for a number of years while the el- 

 ephant and the whale were constructed. After most of 

 the clay had been put on the manikin, the clay dried 

 out and collapsed; it was only after that setback that 

 the plastic tent and steam house were used. The taxi- 

 dermists had to work in bathing suits because of the 

 high humidity. When the elephant was moved into the 

 rotunda, it cleared the door frame by one and one-half 

 inches. For those who wonder how the head was at- 

 tached, there is a trap door in the belly of the elephant, 

 with the seams at folds in the skin where they cannot 

 be seen. 



There was a great deal more to the job on the ele- 

 phant than just the mechanics. Neal Deaton, one of the 

 taxidermists, also wrote an account, emphasizing the 

 study that was done of living animals in zoos and of 

 movies taken by hunting parties. "Selecting the final 

 position came only after much deliberation and thought," 

 he wrote. "There was some suspicion of an over-dramatic 

 attitude, for fear it would cheapen the final effect and 

 lessen its majestic quality. On the other hand, if the 

 animal were mounted in a still position it might appear 

 too statuesque. It was agreed to put the specimen in a 

 fast walking shuffle, the head erect and slightly turned, 

 scenting with its trunk. The ears were positioned to 

 show their characteristic flapping motion. The position 

 was planned to give an impressive picture of an active 

 elephant in a somewhat suspicious attitude, displaying 

 its massive bulk and strength."^ 



100 



The Exhibits 



