oceed. Now drive a long nail against back side of foot to keep it from
sagging (C). Allow the foot to thoroughly dry.

[Illustration: DEER FOOT THERMOMETER.]

When dry remove excelsior and cut off surplus skin around top and the
foot is ready for an ink well, match safe, ash tray or paper weight, as
they all go on the same way. Mix up some plaster of paris in water and
run the foot full and place the ink well or other fitting in place and
allow the plaster to "set" and the foot is finished. If you wish a pen
rest you can now place it in position. In setting up thermometers remove
bone to hoof and whittle out a stick shape of bones removed. Coat inside
of skin with arsenic and alum and place stick in position and sew up
skin. Put on metal cap at top and tack on thermometer. For hooks on
racks, work up a stick with crook into the approximate size and shape of
the deer's leg with the foot bent at right angles. It had best be a
little small so it can have a coating of clay or other modelling
material to make the skin fit it perfectly. Sew up as for thermometer.
When dry fasten to the rack by inserting in a square or oval hole and
wedging at the back.

For furniture legs the feet are turned out in natural position on wooden
legs, and fastened by bolting or screwing to small tables, stools, or
screens. As handles for canes and umbrellas, treat the same as for hooks
and leave the wood long to form a dowel which is glued or inserted in
cane or umbrella, a metal band covering the end of the skin. I have
referred in this chapter to deer feet, but those of elk, caribou and
moose are also used and suitable fittings in nickel and silver plate are
supplied in various sizes by dealers.

[Illustration: DEER FOOT HAT RACK.]

If you wish the hoofs mottled (they look best that way) file same until
you get to the "quick," which is light in color and gives the foot a
very attractive appearance. Smooth down with sandpaper or edge of glass.
Oil a rag and dip it in powdered pumice stone and rub hoof vigorously a
few moments, and you will have a beautiful polish.

The smaller articles are complete as they are or may be mounted, ink
wells, etc., on round, and thermometers on long panels of variously
finished woods. Many nice articles may thus be made from what is usually
considered worthless offal.

[Illustration: MOOSE FOOT JEWEL CASE.]

CHAPTER XX.

MOUNTING FISH.

These with reptiles are most difficult to preserve with any