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    Taxidermy Vol. 5 Small Mammals - The Preparation, Skinning and Mounting of Small Mammals
    Taxidermy Vol. 5 Small Mammals - The Preparation, Skinning and Mounting of Small Mammals
    Taxidermy Vol. 5 Small Mammals - The Preparation, Skinning and Mounting of Small Mammals
    Ebook109 pages58 minutes

    Taxidermy Vol. 5 Small Mammals - The Preparation, Skinning and Mounting of Small Mammals

    By Read Books Ltd.

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    About this ebook

    This vintage text offers insights into the practice of the taxidermy of small mammals and was originally published as part of a series covering a broad range of taxidermy subjects. Written by various experts, each volume features a brief history of the practice and is extensively illustrated with instructional diagrams and photographs throughout. This fascinating edition focuses on the preparation, skinning and mounting of small mammals, and would be of interest to the taxidermy amateur, enthusiast, and professional alike. The contents of Volume Five include: Taxidermy - History of Taxidermy - Small Animals - Skinning Small Animals - Treatment of the Skins of Small Mammals - Mounting Entire Small Fur Animals - Preparing and Mounting a Wildcat - Preparing and Mounting a Small Mammal - Mounting Squirrels - Mounting Small Mammals. We are republishing this classic work in a high quality, modern and affordable edition, featuring reproductions of the original artwork and a newly written introduction.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRead Books Ltd.
    Release dateMay 31, 2013
    ISBN9781473391024
    Taxidermy Vol. 5 Small Mammals - The Preparation, Skinning and Mounting of Small Mammals

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      Book preview

      Taxidermy Vol. 5 Small Mammals - The Preparation, Skinning and Mounting of Small Mammals - Read Books Ltd.

      MAMMALS.

      HISTORY.

      It is very evident that this art—Taxidermy, preservation or care of skins—had its origin far back before the dawn of written history. There existed then as now the desire to preserve the trophy of the hunter’s prowess and skill and the unusual in natural objects.

      As far back as five centuries B. C. in the record of the African explorations of Hanno the Carthaginian, an account is given of the discovery of what was evidently the gorilla and the subsequent preservation of their skins, which were, on the return of the voyagers, hung in the temple of Astarte, where they remained until the taking of Carthage in the year 146 B. C.

      This, of course, was not the art as we know it now, but shows the beginnings of what might be called the museum idea. The art of embalming as practiced by the ancient Egyptians was, however, effective, not for the purpose of having the specimens look natural, or for exhibition, but to satisfy the superstition of the times, and though a preservative art, hardly to be classed with taxidermy.

      In the tombs of that period are found besides the mummies of human beings, countless others of dogs, cats, monkeys, birds, sheep and oxen. There have been a number of efforts made to substitute some form of embalming for present day taxidermy but without much success, for though the body of the specimen may be preserved from decay without removing it from the skin, the subsequent shrinkage and distortion spoil any effect which may have been achieved.

      AN EARLY DAY SPECIMEN.

      The first attempt at stuffing and mounting birds was said to have been made in Amsterdam in the beginning of the 16th century. The oldest museum specimen in existence, as far as I know, is a rhinoceros in the Royal Museum of Vertebrates in Florence, Italy, said to have been originally mounted in the 16th century.

      Probably on account of the necessary knowledge of preservative chemicals, the art seems to have been in the hands of chemists and astrologers, chiefly, during the middle ages, and stuffed animals such as bats, crocodiles, frogs, snakes, lizards, owls, etc., figure in literary descriptions of their abodes. Then as now also, the dining halls of the nobles and wealthy were decorated with heads and horns procured in the hunt.

      The first publications on the art seem to have been made in France, in which country and Germany, many still used methods and formulas originated. Though the first volume of instruction in taxidermy was published in the United States as late as 1865, it has been left for the study and ingenuity of American taxidermists to accomplish what is probably work of as high a standard as any in the world.

      The Ward establishment at Rochester has turned out many well trained taxidermists, the large museums of the United States are filled with some of the best work of the kind in existence, besides many persons who have engaged in it for commercial purposes or to gratify private tastes. Many of these have made public their methods and modes in various publications. Among these are the works of Batty, Hornaday, Shofeldt, Davie, Rowley, Maynard, Reed and others, all of which are invaluable books of reference for the home taxidermist.

      It is to be regretted that the once flourishing Society of American Taxidermists has not been perpetuated, numbering, as it did, among its membership the best artists in their line in this country.

      There is no royal road to success in this, more than any other of the arts and sciences, though I believe the ambitious beginner will find the way smoother; better materials are to be had, more helpful publications to be consulted and the lessening supply of wild life tends to make a more appreciative public than ever before.

      SMALL ANIMALS

      General Observations

      Much that was said in Book One regarding the skinning of birds will apply just as well to skinning mammals, hence we advise the student to read that lesson again. It is impossible in a brief and concise treatise, such as we attempt to give, to take up the many various animals and their anatomical differences, in detail, but we do present a few typical forms and handle them in such a manner that your observation will tell you what to do in special cases, as you proceed with the actual work.

      By the term small animals we intend to include everything up to the size of a wolf, beaver, fox, etc., and many animals much larger can be treated in exactly the same manner, whether in skinning or mounting.

      So many students are inclined to become discouraged when a difficulty presents itself that we venture to say again—keep up your courage. If you do not succeed in your first attempt, find out why and energetically try again. We want you to be a thorough Taxidermist and know that you will if you exhibit a determination and persistency.

      "If you strike a thorn or rose,

      Keep a-goin’!

      If it hails or if it snows,

      Keep a-goin’!

      ’Taint no use to sit and whine,

      When the fish ain’t on your line,

      Bait your hook and keep on tryin’—

      Keep a-goin’!"

      Tools and Material

      Provide all the tools already mentioned, and in addition, a good skin-scraper, bone-saw, hand-vise, chisel, awl, small hook and chain, a pail or two, a heavy pair of cutting pliers, and a furrier’s comb. There is hardly an end to the tools that may be purchased for the Taxidermist’s use, and we would now advise you to send to some reliable dealer for a catalogue of supplies, and to provide yourself with a first-class outfit. This is not absolutely necessary, however, for some of the best work that I have ever seen was produced with the most crude and ordinary kinds of implements.

      Wire List

      Select wires of about the following gauges for specimens named and all others of equal sizes:

      16-18, gopher, timber squirrel, rat.

      13-15, prairie dog, muskrat, mink, etc.

      11-12, cottontail, skunk, cat, hare, etc.

        9-10, fox, badger, beaver, wild cat.

        7-  8, coyote, otter, wolverine.

        4-  6, wild cat, lynx, dog.

      One-fourth inch round rods, gray wolf, setter dog, kangaroo, cougar.

      Experience will soon teach the student to make his selections judiciously. Our only suggestion is—don’t use a wire or rod that is too small or your animal will be weak and wobbly.

      Artificial Eyes

      Guide  to Students:

      Size:    For:

              2, mouse.

        5-  6, striped squirrel, woodchuck.

        7-  8, skunk, red squirrel, prairie dog.

        8-  9, grey squirrel, prairie dog.

        9-10, fox squirrel, pocket-gopher, etc.

      11-12, coon, skunk.

      13-14, cottontail, otter.

      15-16, badger, beaver, small fox.

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