of modeling clay or a trifle stiffer. This makes it ready
for filling ear butts, eye sockets, noses, and feet for modeling into
permanent shape. Sets by drying.

Compo. No. III is for monkey faces, vulture heads, lizards, turtles,
etc. This composition dries very slowly and must be touched up now and
then while drying, to preserve the details without warping. When dry it
is like stone and holds the skin firmly. Take gray paper-pulp, hot
melted glue (quantity according to amount of compo. needed), a little
boracic acid (to prevent decay of glue), boiled linseed oil (fifty per
cent. less than glue), a little arsenic powder (to prevent dermestes
from eating into work), and to this mass add whiting until desired
stiffness for modeling under skin is obtained. Beat and rub to an even
smoothness and stop adding whiting at point where compo. is thick but
still very sticky. Rub some of the compo. into inner surface of skin to
be finished with it or skin will not take hold of mannikin or compo. to
stay.

After modeling is finished under the skin apply linseed oil on outside
and repeat this application several times during the period of drying.
Watch and remodel details if any distortion attends the drying process.

Fine fleshy wrinkles and skin details can be worked out with this compo.
It will hold a thin raw skin where it is put, but is not practical under
fur or feathers.

Compo. No. IV may be used with wire netting or rough board as a base for
making earth bases, imitation rock stands, etc. Take one-third hot
melted glue, two-thirds flour paste, a quantity of paper pulp, a small
amount of boiled linseed oil, a very little of Venetian turpentine,
boracic acid, and arsenic. Thicken to modeling consistency with plaster
of paris, coloring by adding some dry raw umber or lamp black and burnt
umber.

Surface the bases made of this compo. by pressing sand, gravel, or
forest mold into the face and when dry shake off the loose material.
Touch up with tube colors, as desired, and when this is dry apply a very
thin varnish and turpentine finish to bring out a natural damp look.

A foreword as to care of mountable specimens in the field may save a
great amount of cleaning of mussed skins in the shop.

All shot or bullet holes should be immediately plugged with cotton when
specimens are taken. Take a little cotton along in your hunting coat for
this purpose.

In birds plug also the mouth, nostrils, and vent to prevent escape of