ON THE STUFFING OF QUADRUPEDS. 
61 r 
ed, and put in the form in which we intend to 
fix them. The skin of the belly and top of 
the shoulders is then anointed ; and a thick 
layer of flax placed under the middle wire. 
The shape is now given to the scapulae on 
both sides, and all the muscles of the shoul- 
ders imitated. These will be elevated or de- 
pressed, according to the action intended to 
be expressed. The anterior part of the open- 
ing is now sewed up, to retain the stuffing, 
and to enable us to complete the formation 
of the shoulders and junction of the neck. 
This part of the animal is of great import- 
ance, as regards the perfection of its form ; 
and much of its beauty will depend upon this 
being well executed 
If the animal has been recently skinned, the 
best plan possible is to imitate, as nearly as 
possible, the muscles of the carcase ; by 
which many parts will be noticed which might 
otherwise have been neglected. Even to the 
comparative anatomist, I address this recom- 
mendation : Copy Nature whenever 
YOU HAVE IT IN YOUR POWER. 
It must be observed as a general rule, that 
the wires for the hind legs of quadrupeds 
should always be longer than those of the 
legs. 
I’he next thing is to form the hind legs 
and thighs, which must be done as above de- 
scribed for the fore legs ; but with this dif- 
ference, that they must be wound round 
with thread, drawn through the stuffing at 
intervals, to prevent it slipping up when re- 
turned into the skin of the leg. They are 
then fixed, by passing the leg wires into the 
second ring of the centre body wire, which is 
situated at, or near the pelvis ; the two ends 
are then bent, twisting them to the right and 
left around the ring : and to make them still 
more secure, they should be wound round 
with small brass wire or packthread : the 
tail bearer is then attached in the manner 
formerly described. 
Having completed this part of the iron 
work, the skin of the thighs is coated inside 
with the preservative, and the stuffing com- 
pleted with chopped flax or tow. d he whole 
inner parts of the skin wdiich can be reached 
are again anointed, and the body stuffing 
completed with chopped flax. Care must be 
also paid not to stuff the belly too much, as 
the skin very easily dilates. The incision, in 
the belly is now closed by bringing the skin 
together, and then sewred wothin and without ; 
while attention is paid to divide the hairs, 
and not to take any of them in along with the 
thread ; but should any of them be inadver- 
tently fixed, they can be picked out easily 
with the point. ( Plate VI. fig. 9.) When this 
is completed, the hair will resume its natural 
order, and completely conceal the seam. 
The seam should now be well primed, on 
both sides, with the solution of corrosive 
sublimate, to prevent the entrance of moths. 
The articulations of the legs are then bent, 
and tbe animal placed on its feet ; and pres- 
sure used at the natural flat places, so as to 
make the other parts rise where the muscles 
are visible. 
1 cannot take leave of this part, without 
mentioning a plan which I invented, for giv- 
ing full effectto the muscles of the shoulders. 
Having skinned a Dog, immediately on re - 
moving the carcase, 1 took a plaster of Paris 
cast off, from each of the shoulders ; and 
from these moulds I cast a pair of shoulders. 
After having completed the internal stuffing, 
1 applied these casts on the top of the tow> 
and on the skin being brought over them , 
they had the best effect imaginable ; and gave 
the complete appearance of the shoulder in 
the living animal. This method may be ex- 
tended to the other visible muscles of the 
body with great effect ; and it is very easily 
and speedily accomplished. In short, every 
legitimate means of this kind should be 
thought of and adopted, at whatever expense 
and trouble it may be, to obtain the end in 
view ; namely, as close an imitation of the living 
subject as possible ; for one well mounted spe- 
cimen is worth fifty indifferently executed. 
A board is now prepared, on which to place 
the Cat. But before fixing it permanently, 
the animal should be set in the attitude in 
which it is intended to be preserved, and the 
operator having satisfied himself, then pierces 
four holes for the admission of the feet wires, 
which must be drawn through with a pair of 
pincers till the paws rest firmly on the board. 
Small grooves are then made for the reception 
of the pieces of wires which have been drawn 
through, so that they may be folded back 
and pressed down in them, and not be beyond 
the level of the back of the board ; wire nails 
are now driven half in, and their heads bent 
down on the wires to prevent them from get- 
ting loose, or becoming moveable. 
'I he staffer next directs his attention to 
the position and final stuffing of the head and 
neck. 1 he muscles of the face must be imi- 
tated as correctly as possible, by stuffing in 
cotton at the opening of the eyes, as also at 
the mouth, ears, and nostrils. To aid in 
this also, the inner materials may be drawn 
forward bythe assistance of instruments, such 
as are represented at plate VI. figs, 10 and 
11, also small pieces of wood, formed like 
small knitting meshes. 
Our next care is the insertion of the eyes, 
which must be done while the eyelids are yet 
fresh. Some dexterity and skill are required 
in this operation ; and on it will depend most 
of the beauty and character of the head. The 
seats of the eyes are supplied with a little ce- 
ment, the eyes put in their place, and the 
eyelids properly drawn over the eyeballs ; 
but if rage or fear are to be expressed, a con- 
siderable portion of the eyeballs must be ex- 
posed. The lips are afterwards disposed in 
their natural state, and fastened with pins. If 
the mouth is intended to be open, it will be 
necessary to support the lips with cotton, 
which can be removed when they are dry. 
Two small balls of cotton, firmly pressed 
together, and well tinctured with the arse- 
nical soap, must be thrust into the nostrils, 
so as to completely plug them up, to prevent 
the air from penetrating, as also the intru- 
sion of moths ; and besides it has the effect 
