CHAPTER VIII. 
MOUNTING MAMMALS. 
Section I. : Small Mammals. — Skin as 
directed, but the skull should not, as a rule, be 
detached unless the animal be large enough to 
have the lips split. The eye cavities should also 
be filled with clay. Cut a piece of wire of the 
suitable size to support the head ; have it about 
twice as long as the head and body of the speci- 
men in hand. Wind up a turn or two with the 
pliers small enough to enter the cavity in the base 
of the skull, which will have to be enlarged to 
admit of the ready removal of the brains. Place 
the wound portion of the wire in this cavity, and 
fill in around it with either plaster of paris, or 
tamp in excelsior,* tow, or cotton firmly enough 
to hold the skull perfectly firm on the wire. 
Wind up a body of excelsior or grass, as nearly the 
form and size of the one removed as possible, taking 
care that the neck be of proper shape, and that the 
surface be very smooth. 
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