MOUNTING MAMMALS. 
95 
any Bones. — If the skull of a mammal be desired 
for a skeleton, a cast may be taken of the entire 
head before the flesh is removed, by placing the 
head in a box which will contain it and leave a 
space around it ; pour in plaster of paris to the 
consistency of cream, until the head is about half 
covered — which should be placed on the bottom of 
the box, lower jaw down — let the plaster set ; now 
cover the top surface of the plaster with paint, or 
oil, or paste paper over it. Then fill up the box 
with fresh plaster : after this has set well remove 
the side of the box and open the mould where the 
joint was made with the paint or paper. Take out 
the head, and then cut a hole in the mould at the 
base of the skull, in which the plaster for the head 
may be poured. Paint or oil the inside of the 
mould everywhere, fit the pieces together, then 
tie firmly and pour in the plaster for the mould ; 
then insert the bolt for the head in the hole, and 
let the plaster set around it. Remove the mould 
by chipping off pieces with a chisel until the paint 
surface is exposed. If the head be large and heavy, 
a large ball of excelsior, in which the bolt is firmly 
fastened, may be placed in the centre, but this 
must be covered with a thin layer of clay to make it 
impervious to plaster. The lips and other naked 
