HINTS ON TAXIDERMY. 
7 
with a solution of “alum and water.” The different bones left in the 
skin should all be thoroughly anointed with the preservative, and the 
eye-sockets and cavity of the brain filled with cotton or cut tow before 
replacing the skull in its natural position. If the animal be not too large 
the carcass should be preserved, as it will greatly aid the operator in his 
work of modelling a body. If immersed in alcohol, it can be kept any 
length of time. 
To mount the skin ; for instance that of a squirrel .—First provide your¬ 
self with tow, cotton, thread and twine; also, the stuffing forceps, a pair 
of pincers, file and wire cutters. With the aid of the forceps supply the 
various muscles of the face and head, by inserting cotton both through 
the mouth and eyelids. Take annealed wire of the proper size, and cut 
from the coil six pieces : No. 1, two or three inches longer than the total 
length of the body; Nos. 2 and 3 for the fore-legs; Nos. 4 and 5 for the 
hind legs; each of these should be two, or even three inches longer than 
the limbs they are to support; No. 6, for a support to the tail, of the 
same proportionate length as the others. With a large pair of scissors, 
cut fine a quantity of tow, and with this, and the aid of the long forceps, 
stuff the neck to its natural dimensions. Taking wire No. 1, bend in it 
four small rings, the distance between the two outer representing the 
length of the body taken from the skin, leaving one long end for a 
support to the head and neck. Mould tow about that part containing 
the rings, and by winding it down with thread, form an artificial body, 
resembling in form and size the natural one taken from the skin. Sharpen 
the projecting end to a fine point with the file, and insert it up through 
the cut tow in the neck, and thence through the skull; the skin should 
then be pulled over the body. Wires Nos. 2 and 3 should then be placed 
in position, by inserting them through the soles of the feet, up within the 
skin of the leg, and through the body of tow, until they appear upon the 
opposite side. With the pincers bend over the end of each, forming a 
hook; the wires must then be pulled backwards, thus fastening the hooks 
firmly into the body. The loose skin of the limbs should then be stuffed 
with cut tow, taking care to imitate the muscles of the living subject. 
Nos. 4 and 5 can be fixed in position after the same manner, except if the 
animal is to rest entirely upon its tarsi (as in the case with the squirrel 
when feeding), then the wire must be inserted at the tarsal joint instead 
of the sole of the foot. If any depressions appear in the skin they must 
be stuffed out with the cut tow. Wire No. 6 should now be inserted at 
the tip of the tail, and forced down within the skin, hooking it into the 
