ictures obtainable and the real animal whenever possible. Such patterns
as are needed should be made by the children themselves. Ready-made
patterns will produce better proportioned animals, but more dependent,
less observant children also.

METHODS IN DETAIL

=Realistic Animals in Three-ply Wood.=--Secure necessary items of
measurement and decide upon scale. One inch for each foot is best for
younger children.

[Illustration: FIG. 56.--Three-ply wooden animals.]

Draw rectangle proportioned to the extreme length and height of the
animal. Draw into the rectangle a _profile_ sketch of the animal, being
careful that it comes to the line on each side. _All four feet must_ touch
the base line. Considerable practice may be needed before a good sketch
can be drawn. The animal may be represented as standing, walking, or
running, but must be drawn in profile.

Cut out the sketch and make by it three patterns: one of the head, body,
and tail; one of the body and right legs; one of the body and left legs.
Care must be taken to get good lines at shoulder and rump. (See Fig. 56.)

[Illustration: FIG. 57.--Detail of three-ply animals with movable parts.]

Lay the pattern on the wood so that the grain runs lengthwise of the legs
and other frail parts and draw outline carefully. Use basswood one fourth
inch thick, or other soft wood.

Saw out the parts with a coping saw. Be careful in sawing to keep the
blade in a vertical position in order that the edges may be true.

Nail or glue the parts together. If the animal does not stand perfectly,
rub the feet on a piece of sandpaper. Use water color or crayon to give
proper color.

_Three-ply Animals with Movable Parts._--To make the head movable, saw the
part from the body on a curved line, as shown in Fig. 57. Fasten with a
single nail through the shoulder. The curved line must be a part of a
circle and the nail must be at the center. The edges should be smooth to
allow easy action. The tail may be adjusted by a similar plan. The parts
may be made to move automatically by suspending a weight on cords which
are attached to the movable parts, as shown in Fig. 57. If the weight is
to be used, cut off the body part on the double dotted line to allow room
for the cords to swing.

A figure of this sort must be fastened on a pedestal or platform which
will extend over the edge of the table. A slot must be cut in the pedestal
wide enough to allow the cords to swing freely. (